Action on Smoking and Health

Lord Naseby: To ask Her Majesty's Government how much public money was given to Action on Smoking and Health in 2009-10; how much was budgeted for 2010-11; and whether this will be cut in 2011-12.

Earl Howe: Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) received funding of £210,000 in 2009-10 and £220,000 in 2010-11 through the department's Section 64 General Scheme of Grants to Voluntary and Community Organisations. ASH received these grants specifically to carry out a defined project entitled Capitalising on Smokefree: the way forward.
	ASH did not make a grant application to the department's Third Sector Investment Programme: Innovation, Excellence and Service Development Fund for 2011-12. The department currently has no other plans to provide ASH with funding in the next financial year.

Agriculture: Farming

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: To ask Her Majesty's Government what actions they will be taking to encourage and further debate nationally and internationally as a result of the report from the Government Chief Scientist on The Future of Food and Farming.

Lord Henley: Defra intends to show strong international leadership on food security, carefully considering and acting upon the report's findings. Actions will include:
	Championing a more integrated approach by Governments and international institutions to global food security that makes links with climate change, poverty, biodiversity, energy and other policies.Continuing to press for full integration of agricultural greenhouse gases into the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, take forward Nagoya work on international biodiversity, and promote the importance of sustainable intensification of agriculture more broadly.Continuing to press for reform of the common agricultural policy and the common fisheries policy so they are better focused on long-term environmental sustainability and avoid harmful subsidies, support the EU as it seeks to negotiate a genuinely pro-poor conclusion to the Doha Development Round, which includes a significant opening of agricultural markets, and plan an active role in talks in the G20, the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization and elsewhere aimed at finding ways of managing volatility. Showcasing what can be achieved on food waste reduction within the UK, working with other countries and multinational companies to share and disseminate good practice.Working in partnership with our whole food chain, including consumers, to ensure the UK leads the way on sustainable intensification of agriculture, increasing the productivity and competitiveness of UK farming and the UK food chain while reducing greenhouse gas emissions, protecting and enhancing the natural environment and using resources more sustainably, so that agriculture and the food sector can contribute fully to the green economy.

Airports: Gatwick

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the owners of Gatwick Airport about the impact of the proposed increases in landing charges.

Lord De Mauley: Her Majesty's Government have not had any discussions with the owners of Gatwick Airport about the impact of the proposed increases in landing charges.
	Airport charges at Gatwick are capped and regulated by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). The structure of the airport's charges within the regulated cap is a matter for the airport operator.

Airports: Holding Rooms

Lord Avebury: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the maximum number per annum of (a) families, and (b) children, who can be accommodated in the pre-departure holding facility at Crawley.
	To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the expected maximum length of time that families and children will be accommodated in the pre-departure holding facility at Crawley.

Lord Wallace of Saltaire: The pre-departure accommodation will hold up to nine families in self-contained apartments of various sizes to accommodate between two and six people.
	It is not possible to establish the maximum number of families and children who can be accommodated per annum as the definition of a family is broad and they will stay for varying periods.
	Families will only stay in the accommodation for a maximum period of 72 hours between the service of their removal directions and their flight departing the UK. In exceptional circumstances such as when a flight is delayed or cancelled because of a technical issue, it will be possible to extend a stay to a maximum of seven days with ministerial approval.

Animal Welfare: Rabbits

Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Henley on 29 March (WA 235), what is their assessment of the adequacy of the protection afforded to rabbits kept as pets rather than as a farmed commodity.

Lord Henley: I refer the noble Lord to the answer I gave him on 29 March (Official Report, col. WA 235). The Animal Welfare Act 2006 makes it an offence to cause unnecessary suffering to any animal and to treat an animal in a way that fails to meet its welfare needs. We consider the requirements of the Act to be sufficient to ensure the necessary protection of the welfare of pet rabbits.

Animal Welfare: Sanctuaries

Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Henley on 29 March (WA 235), what role they see for animal sanctuaries as part of the big society.

Lord Henley: The Government welcome the work of anyone who is able to provide for the welfare needs of displaced or unwanted animals. Examples of where people have come together on a voluntary or charitable basis to provide such care demonstrate the positive impact of volunteering and social responsibility, both key attributes of big society action.

Animals: Quarantine

Lord Stoddart of Swindon: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their assessment of any proposals from the European Commission to lift restrictions on pet animals entering the United Kingdom.

Lord Henley: The UK's Pet Travel Scheme allows pet dogs, cats and ferrets from certain countries to enter the UK without quarantine, provided those animals meet the scheme rules which are in place to keep the UK free from rabies and certain other diseases. The UK currently has a derogation from the EU's harmonised pet travel scheme.
	To ensure that that UK controls remain effective we are considering how the scheme will operate in the longer term and are in discussions with the European Commission.

Anti-social Behaviour

Lord Stone of Blackheath: To ask Her Majesty's Government what cost savings are anticipated as a result of their proposed changes to anti-social behaviour measures.
	To ask Her Majesty's Government how they will measure the effectiveness of their proposed changes to anti-social behaviour tools.

Baroness Northover: The Government's aim is to ensure that, in future, where a community or victim is suffering anti-social behaviour-particularly the sort of targeted, persistent harassment apparent in a number of high-profile recent cases-the police and other local agencies take the problem seriously, take the necessary steps to stop it permanently, and protect the vulnerable.
	As part of that effort the Home Office published More effective responses to anti-social behaviour on 7 February, setting out proposals to reform the powers available to the police and their local partners, making them easier to use, less bureaucratic and more effective.
	We are still consulting professionals and members of the public on the detail of those proposals, and will undertake an assessment of the likely impacts and cost savings once that consultation is complete.

Anti-social Behaviour: Databases

Lord Corbett of Castle Vale: To ask Her Majesty's Government what was the financial contribution of the Home Office to the establishment of each of the eight pilot anti-social behaviour databases by name.
	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will place in the Library of the House copies of the contracts under which each of the eight pilot anti-social behaviour databases were established.

Lord Wallace of Saltaire: In January, the Home Office announced that eight police forces have volunteered, with local partners, to trial a new approach to handling calls from the public about anti-social behaviour, with the aim of improving the service to repeat and vulnerable victims.
	There is no requirement that participants develop new databases as part of this work, and the Home Office has not provided any financial contribution to them to do so. The trials are based on a small number of core principles, including the use of risk assessment tools to identify vulnerable victims and using off-the-shelf IT systems to facilitate information sharing between agencies. The eight forces are free to decide how to adopt those principles locally.

Anti-social Behaviour: Databases

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will request the Information Commissioner's Office to audit the development, installation and operation of the eight pilot anti-social behaviour databases; and whether they will place in the Library of the House copies of any subsequent reports by the commissioner on this matter.
	To ask Her Majesty's Government how long they propose information will be kept on the eight pilot anti-social behaviour databases; what advice they have received from the Information Commissioner about those databases; and whether they will place in the Library of the House copies of any consultation conducted and advice received on the databases.

Lord Wallace of Saltaire: In January, the Home Office announced that eight police forces have volunteered, with local partners, to trial a new approach to handling calls from the public about anti-social behaviour, with the aim of improving the service to repeat and vulnerable victims. However, there is no requirement that participants develop new databases as part of this work. The trials are based on a small number of core principles, including the use of risk-assessment tools to identify vulnerable victims and the use of off-the-shelf IT systems to facilitate information sharing between agencies. The eight forces are free to decide how to adopt those principles locally.
	The Home Office has had no discussions with the Information Commissioner relating to this work and has no plans to do so.

Armed Forces

Lord Moonie: To ask Her Majesty's Government what proportion of the approved strength of the British Army had been achieved at the end of each of the past 20 years.

Lord Astor of Hever: The information requested is shown in the following table:
	
		
			 Year Requirement Strength Strength as a Percentage of Requirement 
			 1 April 1991 142,540 136,620 95.9 
			 1 April 1992 141,190 133,450 94.5 
			 1 April 1993 127,740 128,480 100.6 
			 1 April 1994 114,980 116,110 101.0 
			 1 April 1995 104,310 104,530 100.2 
			 1 April 1996 104,020 99,530 95.7 
			 1 April 1997 106,360 101,350 95.3 
			 1 April 1998 105,770 100,880 95.4 
			 1 April 1999 105,270 99,820 94.8 
			 1 April 2000 106,400 100,880 94.8 
			 1 April 2001 106,970 100,420 93.9 
			 1 April 2002 106,970 100,410 93.9 
			 1 April 2003 106,980 102,000 95.4 
			 1 April 2004 106,730 103,560 97.0 
			 1 April 2005 104,170 102,440 98.3 
			 1 April 2006 101,800 100,620 98.8 
			 1 April 2007 101,800 99,350 P 97.6 
			 1 April 2008 101,800 99,350 P 96.5 
			 1 April 2009 101,790 99,250 P 97.5 
			 1 April 2010 102,160 102,200 P 100.0 
			 1 April 2011 102,210 101,400 P 99.2 
		
	
	The full-time trained strength comprises trained UK Regular Forces, trained Gurkha and FTRS (Full Time Reserve Service) personnel. It does not include mobilised reservists.
	All figures prior to 1997 exclude Gurkhas.
	Figures marked P are provisional and subject to review.

Armed Forces: Children

Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answers by Lord Astor of Hever on 22 March (WA 136), whether they fund visits by children to their parents who are service personnel based overseas.

Lord Astor of Hever: Children under the age of 19 years at a school, other than at the unit where service personnel are posted, will be eligible for three return schoolchildren visits per year at public expense. Alternatively, the service parent may choose to claim public expense travel for the eligible child(ren) for six single journeys.
	Travel must be by the most economical means and a personal contribution is required that is equivalent to 50 miles per single journey. This is calculated at a local level and taken from pay.
	Any costs for additional visits are met by the parent.

Armed Forces: Depleted Uranium

Lord Chidgey: To ask Her Majesty's Government what research they have commissioned on the potential after-effects from contact with depleted uranium (DU) weapons, or from proximity to areas where they have been used; and what stocks and types of DU weapons are held in the United Kingdom.

Lord Astor of Hever: Ever since the first proposals for the use of depleted uranium (DU) in anti-armour munitions, the Ministry of Defence has maintained a watching brief on related worldwide research activities. This includes research by the European Commission and independent agencies such as the Royal Society, National Academy of Sciences, United Nations Environment Programme, World Health Organisation and International Atomic Energy Agency. There has also been research into topics of direct relevance to the UK; the most significant involve personnel and battlefield monitoring.
	No DU was detected in the vast majority (more than 99.5 per cent) of the almost 1,000 UK veterans tested by the analysis of urine samples. Some DU was present in a very small number of veterans injured when their vehicles were struck by DU munitions, but the exposures were at levels at which no adverse health effects are expected. No widespread contamination sufficient to impact on the health of the general population or deployed personnel was found in Ministry of Defence environmental surveys in southern Iraq and the Balkans.
	The UK position remains that DU is weakly radioactive and has similar levels of chemical toxicity to lead. Measures to prevent or reduce intakes may sometimes be justified after DU munitions are fired, but the scientific consensus is that this will occur only in a very small number of very extreme cases. This is consistent with the findings of the agencies mentioned above and with the recent World Health Organisation statement that, "For the general population, neither civilian nor military use of DU is likely to produce radiation doses significantly above normal background levels".
	DU has not been shown to present the health and environmental risks suggested in some quarters.
	The 120 mm anti-tank round (Charm 3), fired by the Army's Challenger main battle tank, is the only in-service DU munition. I am withholding information relating to munition stock levels; its disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.
	The Government's policy remains that DU can be used within weapons; it is not prohibited under current or likely future international agreements. UK Armed Forces use DU munitions in accordance with international humanitarian law. It would be quite wrong to deny our serving personnel a legitimate and effective capability.

Armed Forces: High Threat Operatives

Lord Moonie: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to review the incidence of stress in high threat operatives causing temporary impairment or requiring repatriation.

Lord Astor of Hever: The Royal Centre for Defence Medicine mental health team is assessing the mental health of all operational casualties repatriated with a physical injury that requires admittance for 14 days or more. These assessments are repeated at intervals over a two-year period.
	In addition, it is recognised that high threat explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) operatives, by the nature of their work and the tempo of operations in Afghanistan, are at an increased risk of exposure to significantly stressful situations while on operations. EOD teams are rotated through Camp Bastion on a routine basis to afford them a respite from continuous exposure to these high stress levels, and have ready access to a mental health professional within the camp.
	In 2010, the Defence Medical Services undertook an Operational Mental Health Needs Evaluation (OMHNE) that looked specifically at EOD personnel, and which found a slight, but significant, increase in mental health symptoms among them. This survey, together with evidence from the chain of command, is being used to refine the current decompression package towards the specific needs of EOD teams. A further OMHNE in July 2011, surveying a range of UK personnel deployed in Afghanistan, will include further specific sampling of EOD operatives.

Armed Forces: Medals

Lord Ashcroft: To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress is being made in introducing a United Kingdom National Defence Medal.

Lord Astor of Hever: There are currently no plans to introduce a National Defence Medal.
	Nevertheless, the Government are undertaking a review of the rules governing the awarding of military medals in line with their commitment in the Programme for Government. The review is currently with the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister for final evaluation and I hope that an announcement of the conclusions of the review will be made shortly after Easter.

Arms Reduction

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: To ask Her Majesty's Government what preparations they are making for the meeting agreed by the P5 (China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States) to meet in Paris in June 2011 to discuss nuclear transparency and ways of verifying additional arms reductions; whether a date or agenda have been agreed for the meeting; and whether the agenda will be published.

Lord Wallace of Saltaire: France intends to host the P5 Conference in Paris on 30 June 2011. We are working with France and our other P5 partners towards a comprehensive agenda that builds on the first P5 conference hosted by the UK in 2009, and that takes forward implementation of the Action Plan agreed at the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference in May 2010. We expect a communiqué to be released after the conference.

Arms Trade

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, in the light of recent events in North Africa, they will review their policies on the sale of arms and military equipment.

Baroness Wilcox: On 16 March the Foreign Secretary announced a review of the Government's policy and practice with regard to the export of equipment that might be used for internal repression, in particular crowd control goods. The conclusions will of course apply to our procedures for assessing arms exports to all countries. The Government will report to Parliament after Easter. As the Foreign Secretary told the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, any decisions arising from the review will be discussed in Parliament.

Asylum Seekers

Lord Avebury: To ask Her Majesty's Government what financial assistance they are providing through Refugee Action for persons considering voluntary return who are (a) asylum seekers and refused asylum seekers, (b) families and children, and (c) irregular migrants; and how those payments compare with the amounts offered until 1 April under the equivalent programmes operated by the International Organization for Migration.

Lord Wallace of Saltaire: Following an open and competitive tender process Refugee Action has been administering the Assisted Voluntary Return programmes previously delivered by the International Organisation for Migration since one April 2011. The three available programmes remain the same.
	Assisted Voluntary Return (AVR) programmes are available to assist those in the UK asylum system and those who are in the UK illegally who wish to return voluntarily and permanently to their country of origin (or, where permanently admissible, to a third country).
	Voluntary Assisted Return and Reintegration Programme (VARRP) is for those who have sought asylum and those with certain forms of related temporary status in the UK. Returnees receive support in acquiring travel documentation, flight to country of origin and onward domestic transport, airport assistance at departure and arrival airports and up to £1,500 worth of reintegration assistance per person including a £500 relocation grant on departure for immediate resettlement needs and, once home, a range of reintegration options. The majority of returnees use their reintegration assistance in income generation activities.
	Assisted Voluntary Return for Families and Children (AVRFC) is for families comprising of a maximum of two adult parents or legal guardians and at least one child (under 18) and from unaccompanied children (under 18) who have either sought asylum or who are in the UK illegally and wish to return home. Returnees receive support in acquiring travel documentation, flight to country of origin and onward domestic transport, airport assistance at departure and arrival airports and up to £2,000 worth of reintegration assistance per person including a £500 relocation grant on departure for immediate resettlement needs and, once home, a range of reintegration options. The scheme offers flexibility of reintegration for the whole family and increased emphasis is placed on the use of reintegration assistance for educational needs as well as income generation.
	Assisted Voluntary Return for Irregular Migrants (AVRIM) is for those migrants who have not sought asylum, but who are in the UK illegally and wish to return home. Returnees receive support in acquiring travel documentation, flight to country of origin and onward domestic transport, and airport assistance at departure and arrival airports. There is generally no reintegration assistance for AVRIM applicants however there is discretionary reintegration assistance of up to £1,000, considered on a case by case basis, available for vulnerable applicants.

Aviation: Card Payment Charges

Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the charges paid by customers when paying for flights and other services by debit and credit cards.

Baroness Wilcox: Which? has submitted a super-complaint to the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) on card payment surcharges. We will carefully consider the OFT's response before making an assessment.

Aviation: Passenger Duty

Lord McFall of Alcluith: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their estimate of the revenues to be derived from taxing private jets, as announced in Budget 2011.

Lord Sassoon: The Government's plans to extend air passenger duty to passengers aboard business jet flights are included in the Budget consultation document. Details of the new tax will be determined in light of the consultation responses. It is not therefore possible accurately to estimate potential revenues at the current time.

Azerbaijan

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they sent condolences to the Government of Azerbaijan to mark the anniversary of the Day of Genocide of Azerbaijan on 31 March.

Lord Howell of Guildford: No. Sadly, conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan continues to this day. The Government support the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) led peace process and we regularly urge both sides to make progress. The wars and conflicts between Armenia and Azerbaijan have caused terrible suffering on both sides that should not be forgotten. Only after peace is achieved in the region can reconciliation begin to help the populations come to terms with the events of the past.

Bank of England

Lord Myners: To ask Her Majesty's Government when the accounts of Bank of England Nominees Limited were last published; when they will next be published; and whether they intend to review whether the company should remain exempt from company law disclosure requirements.

Baroness Wilcox: The most recent accounts of Bank of England Nominees Limited are available via the Companies House website and were published on 14 June 2010. It can be seen from these accounts that the company is currently dormant. The company is due to publish its next set of accounts by 30 November this year. The company is no longer exempt from company law disclosure requirements and currently no other persons are exempt from these requirements.

Bank of England

Lord Myners: To ask Her Majesty's Government when the accounts of Bank of England Asset Purchases Facility Fund Limited will be published; whether these accounts will take into account an indemnity from HM Treasury; and whether the accounts of the company are exempt from any company law disclosure requirements.

Lord Sassoon: The Bank of England will publish accounts for the asset purchase facility (APF) for the year ended February 2011 before the Summer Parliamentary Recess. The amount due to or from HM Treasury under its indemnity to the Bank will be identified. The accounts are not exempt from any company law disclosure requirements.

Bank of England

Lord Myners: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the accounts of the Bank of England, Bank of England Nominees Limited and the Bank of England Asset Purchase Facility Fund Limited are all audited by the same firm of public accountants.

Lord Sassoon: KPMG are the external auditors for the Bank of England and the Bank of England Asset Purchases Facility Fund Limited. As a dormant company, Bank of England Nominees Limited is not required under the Companies Act 2006 to appoint an external auditor.

Banking: Iceland

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Sassoon on 28 March (WA 208), why 153 depositors with failed Icelandic banks have not reclaimed £418,200,202; and whether they will cease refunding balances over £50,000 in those banks and instruct the Financial Services Compensation Scheme to cease any further payments.

Lord Sassoon: The figure of £418,200,202 includes all cases, as of 4 January 2011, where it has not been possible to locate the investor; no response has been received to enquiries; the depositor has gone away without leaving a forwarding address; or claimants have realised mistakenly that they are not eligible to claim under Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) rules.
	Payment for compensation for amounts up to £50,000 is a matter for the FSCS. Under the rules covering FSCS payouts, the FSCS will continue to pay compensation, provided that the relevant bank in question owes a legal liability to its customer.
	There is currently no deadline for claims against HM Treasury for amounts above £50,000 except in the case of Landsbanki. In this case, depositors were notified by the FSCS in 2009 that claims for compensation for amounts above £50,000 must be submitted by 30 October 2009, the date by which under Icelandic law creditors of Lansdsbanki (including the FSCS and HM Treasury) were required to submit their claims.

Banking: Royal Bank of Scotland

Lord Myners: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Sassoon on 31 March (WA 293-4), whether they have objected to the publication of any part of the PricewaterhouseCoopers report into the failure of the Royal Bank of Scotland; and whether they will seek confirmation from the Bank of England and the Financial Services Authority that they have not raised any objections on the same matter.

Lord Sassoon: The Financial Services Authority (FSA) is seeking to produce a publishable report on the reasons for the failure of the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS). The Government agree that publication of such a report would be desirable.
	Publication of the report, including seeking consent from RBS and other third parties, is a matter for the FSA as independent regulator. The Government do not have a copy of the report.

Banking: Royal Bank of Scotland

Lord Myners: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether UK Financial Investments Limited has had any discussions with the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) on whether RBS should object to the publication of any part of the PricewaterhouseCoopers report for the Financial Services Authority into the failure of RBS.

Lord Sassoon: UK Financial Investments has meetings and discussions regularly with the management of the Royal Bank of Scotland, as it does with other organisations. We do not comment on such meetings and discussions.

Banks: Green Investment Bank

Lord Barnett: To ask Her Majesty's Government what will be the terms of reference for the Green Investment Bank.

Baroness Wilcox: The Green Investment Bank's terms of reference are currently being considered and will be published at the end of May.

Banks: Vetting

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Sassoon on 1 April (WA 310-11), which banks with a presence in the United Kingdom but with headquarters elsewhere do not have their senior officials vetted by the Financial Services Authority.

Lord Sassoon: This is a matter for the Financial Services Authority, which will be replying directly.

Benefits

Lord German: To ask Her Majesty's Government (a) how many, and (b) what percentage of, applicants involved in the incapacity benefits transition trials in Burnley and Aberdeen (1) were assessed fit for work, (2) were assessed fit for work and have appealed against the decision, (3) were assessed as having limited capability for work, (4) were assessed as having limited capability for work and have appealed against the decision, (5) were assessed as having limited capability for work-related activity, (6) are in the assessment process, and (7) have withdrawn their claim.

Lord Freud: The incapacity benefit reassessment trial in Aberdeen and Burnley was designed to provide early indications of customer and staff reactions to the reassessment process.
	Based on information up to 22 March 2011, 1,626 out of 1,700 cases have been assessed. Of these,
	526 people (31 per cent out of 1,700) have been found fit for work. This includes 41 cases (2 per cent) that have been disallowed on administrative grounds primarily for failure to attend the work capability assessment, and 19 cases (1 per cent) closed at the request of the customer;616 people (36 per cent) have been assessed as having limited capability for work and placed in the Work Related Activity Group;484 people (28 per cent) have been assessed as having limited capability for work-related activity and placed in the Support Group;245 people (14 per cent) of claimants have appealed against the outcome of the reassessment process and had the appeal passed to the Tribunals Service. Because of the time taken to raise and process an appeal it is still too early to draw firm conclusions about the final number of claimants likely to appeal. It is not possible with the information available to determine the specific reason for the appeal; and74 (4 per cent) of claimants are still being assessed. Because some customers have not yet completed the reassessment process, the above proportions may change when all the outcomes are finalised.
	Further information on the trial results has been published here: http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd1/adhoc_analysis/2011/ib_reassessment.pdf.

Benefits

Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by the Economic Secretary to the Treasury, Justine Greening, on 5 July 2010 (Official Report, Commons, col. 93-4W), what estimate they have made of the average real terms change per child in 2010 prices of freezing child benefit payments in (a) 2011-12, (b) 2012-13 and (c) 2013-14, taking account of the Office for Budget Responsibility's most recent forecast for consumer prices index inflation.

Lord Sassoon: The table below shows the estimated average change per week per child as a result of freezing the rates of child benefit for the next three years rather than uprating by the change in the consumer prices index. These estimates are based on the latest projections of CPI.
	
		
			  2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 
			 Forecast change first child -£0.65 -£l.55 -£2.05 
			 Forecast change subsequent child -£0.40 -£l.00 -£1.35 
		
	
	To ensure support is better targeted at low-income families with children, some of the savings from the freeze in child benefit have been recycled into significant above-indexation increases to the child tax credit in 2011-12 and 2012-13.
	Treasury analysis shows that modelled tax and benefit reforms announced since Budget 2010 may result in a small reduction in child poverty in 2011-12 and 2012-13; however, given the uncertainty around these types of estimates, this change may not be statistically significant.

Benefits

Lord Willis of Knaresborough: To ask Her Majesty's Government what was the cost of providing each non-means-tested benefit in the financial year 2009-10.

Lord Freud: The information requested is in the table:
	
		
			 Non-means-tested benefit expenditure (£ millions) 2009-10 
			 Attendance Allowance 5,106 
			 Bereavement benefits 650 
			 Carer's Allowance 1,495 
			 Christmas Bonus 154 
			 Disability Living Allowance 11,459 
			 Employment and Support Allowance-contributory 581 
			 In-Work Credit 107 
			 Incapacity Benefit 6,108 
			 Industrial Injuries benefits 844 
			 Job Grant 48 
			 Jobseekers Allowance-contributory 1,089 
			 Maternity Allowance 345 
			 New Deal for Young People and New Deal 25-Plus Allowances 115 
			 Over-75 Television Licences 549 
			 Return to Work Credit 63 
			 Severe Disablement Allowance 907 
			 Specialised Vehicles Fund 16 
			 State Pension 66,896 
			 Statutory Maternity Pay 1,995 
			 Statutory Sick Pay 64 
			 Vaccine Damage Payments # 
			 Winter Fuel Payments 2,735 
			 Total 101,325 
		
	
	Source: DWP accounting data and estimates
	1) Information is out-turn, except for statutory maternity pay and statutory sick pay, which are estimates subject to further change.
	2) Figures may differ from those currently published due to including more recent data and estimates. Updated figures are due to be published on 21 April 2011 at the following website: http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd4/index.php?page=expenditure.
	3) Figures are rounded to the nearest £ million.
	4) Amounts below £0.5 million are indicated by # or -#.

Benefits

Lord German: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that the language used in (a) official statements, and (b) press briefings, about the transition from incapacity benefits to the employment and support allowance effectively communicates their intentions.

Lord Freud: The Government announced in the coalition agreement in May 2010 their intention to reassess all current claimants of incapacity benefits for their readiness to work.
	My right honourable friend the Member for Epsom and Ewell made a Written Statement on 25 January 2011 which set out that the reassessment process had started on 11 October 2010 with a trial which was restricted to cases in the Aberdeen and Burnley areas. The Statement also advised that the introductory phase would begin in February 2011, with full rollout of national reassessment commencing in April.
	The right honourable Member for Epsom and Ewell also wrote a piece for the Sunday Telegraph and the News of the World in advance of the commencement of national reassessment to set out clearly the rationale behind the process.
	Departmental officials have also held briefing sessions for MPs and Peers, which included Ministers' personal events and a session in Portcullis House. The briefing packs for these events were available from the Vote Office.
	Our press notices and official briefings are intended to provide clear and factual information about the incapacity benefits reassessment to prepare customers and other interested parties for this major change to the benefits system.
	Reassessing all those on incapacity benefits is a significant task. All claimants will be moved onto employment and support allowance, other benefits more appropriate to their circumstances, or off benefit. We have been very clear that the department does not have a target for the number of people who must be found fit for work during the reassessment. We have also been clear that our objectives are to get people on to the right benefits at the right time, and to ensure that they get the support they need to help them return to work, while providing unconditional support to those with the most severe health conditions or disabilities.

Blind and Partially Sighted People

Lord Low of Dalston: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their assessment of the proposal tabled by Brazil, Ecuador and Paraguay in 2009 at the World Intellectual Property Organisation's Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights for a binding treaty to improve access to books for blind, partially sighted and other print-disabled people.

Baroness Wilcox: The proposal tabled by Brazil, Ecuador, Paraguay and Mexico is one of four texts for a legal instrument to improve access to books by visually impaired people currently being discussed at the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO). Other proposals have been submitted by the United States of America, the African Group and the European Union. The UK worked closely with EU partners on the EU text.
	The Government have considered all four texts carefully. Whilst we support the purpose behind the Brazil, Ecuador, Paraguay and Mexico text, we believe that it contains elements that go beyond existing international agreements on copyright such as the Berne Convention. There is a need to strike the right balance between improving access and protecting the rights of authors and publishers. These concerns were raised at the last meeting of the relevant WIPO committee in November when member states discussed all four texts and agreed a work plan for further discussion.
	Informal work is under way on a possible alternative, bringing together the elements of all four texts. The UK will continue to work constructively to find a solution on this important issue and looks forward to engaging in the detailed discussions at the next WIPO meeting in June 2011.

British Medical Association

Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty's Government on how many occasions since 12 May 2010 they have met representatives of the British Medical Association, and what matters were discussed.

Earl Howe: Ministers regularly meet with senior representatives of the British Medical Association to discuss the Government's National Health Service reform programme. We have had very frequent meetings since May 2010.

Budget 2010

Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will update table A2 in the June 2010 Budget in light of further changes to tax credits announced in the October 2010 spending review.

Lord Sassoon: There are no plans to update table A2 in the June 2010 Budget.

Budget 2011

Lord Myners: To ask Her Majesty's Government what the additional £700 million of expenditure for 2011-12 announced in the Budget under the heading "single use military expenditure" is intended to cover.

Lord Sassoon: This is not additional expenditure. "Single use military expenditure" is expenditure for items that can only be used in an operational setting, as opposed to dual use items such as vehicles, which are used in operational and non-operational environments. The £0.7 billion of single use military equipment in 2011-12 shown in Table 4.16 of the Office for Budget Responsibility's Economic and Fiscal Outlook reflects the fact that £0.7 billion of single use military equipment Capital Departmental Expenditure Limits was allocated from the Resource Departmental Expenditure Limits Special Reserve as part of the initial allocation of funding for the net additional costs of military operations in 2011-12. Single use military equipment scores as current expenditure in the National Accounts. As a result, this transfer has no impact on any of the National Accounts aggregates.

Budget 2011

Lord Barnett: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assumptions they have made in table 2.1 and 2.2 in the Budget 2011 data sources when calculating HM Treasury policy costings that are outside official statistics, together with estimated costs.

Lord Sassoon: The assumptions and methodologies underlying the costings for all the tax and annually managed expenditure (AME) policy decisions listed in table 2.1 of Budget 2011 are published alongside the Budget in the supplementary document Budget 2011 policy costings.
	The assumptions and methodologies underlying the costings for tax and AME policy decisions announced at spending review 2010 or June Budget 2010 and listed in table 2.2 of Budget 2011 are published in the documents Spending Review 2010 policy costings and Budget 2010 policy costings.

Budget 2011

Lord Barnett: To ask Her Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the individual direct costs of all Budget measures designed to improve economic growth and employment.

Lord Sassoon: The fiscal impacts of measures designed to improve economic growth and employment are included in table 2.1 of Budget 2011, a copy of which is available in the Libraries of both Houses.

Census

Lord Hoyle: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will make information from the 2011 census available to any other Governments or, in the case of the United States, the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Baroness Northover: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	Letter from Stephen Penneck, Director General for ONS, to Lord Hoyle, dated April 2011.
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics (ONS) I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking Her Majesty's Government whether or not they will make information from the 2011 census available to any other Governments or, in the case of the United States, the Federal Bureau of Investigation. (HL8425)
	ONS will not provide personal census information to any foreign Government or US agency. Published statistics will be freely available to anyone, but these will have been subjected to our statistical disclosure control methods first to ensure that no individuals can be identified from them.

Children: Care

Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty's Government what estimate they have of the number of children being brought up by their grandparents due to family breakdown or unsuitability of the parents; and how much money is being saved per year through not placing those children into care.

Lord Hill of Oareford: Figures are not collected centrally on the number of children being brought up by their grandparents.

Children: Care

Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the average cost of a child in care.

Lord Hill of Oareford: Returns from local authorities indicate that their expenditure on looked-after children in 2009-10 was some £2,888 million. This supported around 80,000 children who were in care for some or all of that year. This would equate to an average expenditure of £36,000 per child. However, the cost will vary considerably between individual children. For example, the University of Kent, which was commissioned by the Department of Health and the Department for Education to produce Unit Costs of Health and Social Care 2010 (available at www.pssru. ac.uk/uc/uc20lOcontents.htm), has calculated that it cost local authorities £2,494 a week for a placement of a child at a residential children's home and £676 a week for a foster placement. Costs will be considerably more for children with severe disabilities or those with emotional and behavioural problems.

Children: Care

Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty's Government what proportion of children in long-term care (a) achieve below-average school results, and (b) have problems finding long-term employment in adulthood.

Lord Hill of Oareford: There is no standard definition of long-term care. The data suggest that at key stage 4, the longer the period of time for which a child is looked after, the better his or her educational outcomes will be. The latest published statistics set out in Outcomes for Children Looked After by Local Authorities as at 31 March 2010 show that of those children who had been looked after for between five and six years, 16 per cent achieved five or more GCSE grades A*-C including English and mathematics compared to 8 per cent of children who had been looked after for between 12 and 18 months. The percentage for all children was 53 per cent.
	The department does not collect data on the long-term employment of looked-after children and care leavers. The information published in the department's Statistical First Release Children Looked After in England (including adoption and care leavers) year ending 31 March 2010 showed that the percentage of former care leavers whose local authorities were in touch with them and who were in education, employment or training around the time of their 19th birthday was 62.1 per cent.

Children: Street Children

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to follow up the recommendations made in the unanimously adopted Resolution on Street Children by the United Nations Human Rights Council.

Lord Wallace of Saltaire: The Department for International Development (DfID) is committed to reducing poverty among children. We know that poverty is the root cause for many children living or working on the streets. The coalition Government are working to address this among the families and communities of particularly vulnerable children, working in partnership with Governments and other organisations, such as non-governmental groups and the United Nations (UN) agencies. This support helps vulnerable children (including those working or living on the street) in poor countries through the provision of basic health care, education and protection from violence and abusive behaviour. This is in line with the recommendations of the recently adopted resolution of the UN Human Rights Council.
	The coalition Government are also strongly committed to working toward children achieving their full potential, as expressed in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. We continue to support the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF), which works in 190 countries around the world to improve the lives of vulnerable children.

Children: Street Children

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: To ask Her Majesty's Government how they will support the International Day for Street Children on 12 April.

Lord Wallace of Saltaire: Her Majesty's Government welcomes the new International Day for Street Children: Louder Together, which this year (on 12 April) was the inaugural event. Street children are among the most marginalised and vulnerable in the world. A global event will help draw attention to the particular needs of street children, and contribute to the debate about how best to address these needs.
	The Department for International Development (DfID) is committed to reducing poverty among children. We know that poverty is the root cause for many children living or working on the streets. Generating international attention that focuses on why children are forced to live and work on the streets is essential to addressing the problem. The coalition Government are committed to working with our partners in Governments and other organisations, such as non-governmental groups and the United Nations (UN) agencies, to meet the basic needs of children.

China

Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations have they made to the Government of China about the arrest and detention of Ai Weiwei.

Lord Wallace of Saltaire: My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs made clear in a public statement on 4 April 2011 our concerns about the detention of Ai Weiwei. He called on the Chinese Government to clarify Mr Ai's situation and wellbeing and hoped that he would be released immediately. On 11 April my right honourable friend the Deputy Prime Minister raised the case of Ai Weiwei and those of other dissidents detained in recent weeks when he met the Secretary of the Communist Party of China Shanghai Municipal Committee, Yu Zhengsheng. Senior officials in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office have also raised the case of Ai Weiwei with the Chinese Embassy in London. We will continue to monitor developments in Mr Ai's case closely and look for further appropriate opportunities to raise our concerns.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

The Countess of Mar: To ask Her Majesty's Government why the Department for Work and Pensions Medical Services 2010 version of Training and Development: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and Fibromyalgia Learning Set Continuing Medical Education states, "A learning set is dedicated to the sharing of team knowledge and must be conducted using internal sources only. External speakers are not acceptable at these events"; and what provision is made for trainees to be made aware of current biomedical scientific developments for both these conditions.

Lord Freud: Learning sets on relevant subjects are produced as part of the Continuing Medical Education programme for Atos Healthcare professionals. Learning sets are recognised as one of a range of personal development tools which can be used to learn new ways of working, share experiences and help with problem solving. They are based on the principle of self-directed learning and each learning set contains suggested sources of study. They also facilitate active participation, the sharing of knowledge, application of knowledge to practical problems and development of other skills such as facilitation skills. Although learning sets preclude the use of external speakers, other Atos learning events such as clinical conferences rely on the use of external speakers.
	Trainees are updated on biomedical scientific developments for CFS and fibromyalgia that are relevant to disability assessment by accessing the sources provided in the learning set and by use of other training products relating to CFS and fibromyalgia, which are updated on a regular basis.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

The Countess of Mar: To ask Her Majesty's Government upon what scientific medical evidence the Department for Work and Pensions Medical Services 2010 version of Training and Development: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and Fibromyalgia (FM) tells participants to explore "Ways in which relevant functional problems can present in a claim"; and "The likely functional effects of CFS and FM" when neither illness is a functional disorder.

Lord Freud: The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) recognises Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and fibromyalgia as real and potentially significantly disabling conditions. Where a clinical diagnosis of CFS or fibromyalgia has been made, full account will be taken of their disabling effects.
	The term "functional" in the training module refers to the effect of a condition on a person's ability to function on a day to day basis and has a different meaning to the term "functional" in the context of a "functional disorder".

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

The Countess of Mar: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether training programmes for classified neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis or Parkinson's disease are identical to that for myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME)/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) which is also classified by the World Health Organisation ICD 10 as a neurological disease under G93.3.

Earl Howe: The content and standard of medical training is the responsibility of the General Medical Council, which is the competent authority for medical training in the United Kingdom.
	The General Medical Council's Undergraduate, Postgraduate and Continued Practice Boards have the general function of promoting high standards of medical education and co-ordinating all stages of medical education to ensure that students and newly qualified doctors are equipped with the knowledge, skills and attitudes essential for professional practice.
	Training curricula are developed by medical schools and Royal Colleges.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

The Countess of Mar: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will encourage Department for Work and Pensions and Atos Healthcare assessors to review their approach to myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME)/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), in light of the findings by Jason et al in An Aetiological Model for ME/CFS, Neuroscience & Medicine 2011:2:14-27.

Lord Freud: Medical assessments done on behalf of the DWP look at the functional impact of a condition on an individual; entitlement to benefit is not based on medical condition/diagnosis. The DWP recognises that ME/CFS covers a spectrum and can be a significantly disabling condition.
	The article, An Aetiological Model for ME/CFS, presents a theory (yet to be tested and proven) for understanding the cause of ME/CFS. The DWP's guidance to assessors appropriately focuses on the range of functional impairment related to particular conditions rather than on causation. This article does not address functional impairment; therefore there will be no change to the guidance as a consequence of it.

Civil Partnership Act 2004

Lord Tebbit: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Verma on 9 March (WA 404), who were the "stakeholders" to whom they "listened"; how many there were; how they were chosen; and how they define "equal civil marriage and partnerships".

Lord Wallace of Saltaire: Ministers and officials met a range of denominations and groups as part of a listening exercise on the next steps for civil partnerships. Those who attended were representatives of the Church of England, the Roman Catholic Church, the Evangelical Alliance, the Quakers, the Unitarian and Free Christian Churches, Churches Together in Britain and Ireland, as well as representatives of the Jewish, Buddhist and Hindu faiths. Representatives also attended from Stonewall, the Lesbian and Gay Foundation, Lesbian and Gay Christians, Changing Attitudes and Outrage. Representatives from other groups were invited but did not attend.
	These groups were selected as a result of their interest in this issue during the passage of Section 202 of the Equality Act 2010 through Parliament and on the advice of the Department for Communities and Local Government which holds overall responsibility for the Government's engagement with faith communities.
	A definition of equal civil marriage and partnerships will be one of the key issues to be considered during the further consultation with all those who have an interest in this area in due course

Civil Service: Redundancy

Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many civil servants have been offered voluntary redundancy since May 2010.

Lord Wallace of Saltaire: Individual departments and agencies are responsible for offering staff voluntary redundancy, and this information is not recorded centrally.

Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010

Lord Norton of Louth: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they have taken to ensure that all government departments are aware of the provisions of Section 3(6) of the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010; and what action they have taken to ensure they comply with those provisions.
	To ask Her Majesty's Government what provision is being made for training civil servants in the Cabinet Office in pursuance of Section 3(6) of the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010.
	To ask Her Majesty's Government to what extent the review of the curriculum by Civil Service Learning takes into account the provisions of Section 3(6) of the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010.

Baroness Garden of Frognal: The updated Civil Service Code, published in November 2010, contains a specific new reference which says, "Civil servants advising Ministers should be aware of the constitutional significance of Parliament, and of the conventions governing the relationship between Parliament and the Government", reflecting the provisions of Section 3(6) of the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010. All departments were notified of the introduction of the legislation and the new Civil Service Code and asked to inform all staff.
	Additional guidance for civil servants, including those in the Cabinet Office, is provided in a number of ways, including in the Cabinet Office publication Departmental Evidence and Response to Select Committees and the online Guide to Parliamentary Work. The National School of Government's Core Learning Programme also includes relevant training, for example in the Parliament, Government and the Civil Service programme. This training is being incorporated into the common curriculum developed by Civil Service Learning.

Crime: Organised Crime

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what links and exchanges of information there are between government agencies concerned with preventing organised crime and with countering corruption at home and overseas; and whether they will involve the business and voluntary sectors in such co-operative activity.

Baroness Neville-Jones: Law enforcement agencies co-operate with each other and with public, private and voluntary sector organisations on an operational basis to exchange information lawfully, harness expertise and maximise effectiveness against organised crime. Strategic co-ordination is facilitated through multiagency programme boards, involving key agencies including the Serious Organised Crime Agency, the Government and private and voluntary sector organisations where appropriate.
	The forthcoming Organised Crime Strategy will set out details of how the Government will improve co-ordination between all relevant partners to combat organised crime more effectively. The public, voluntary groups and the private sector will have an important contribution.
	As international anti-corruption champion, the Secretary of State for Justice holds a key co-ordination role for government in international anti-corruption efforts. This includes consultations with colleagues in other departments, NGOs, and with other national and international stakeholders to ensure a coherent and joined-up approach to combat international corruption.

Criminal Records Bureau

Lord Tebbit: To ask Her Majesty's Government which work on handling data is contracted out by the Criminal Records Bureau.

Lord Wallace of Saltaire: The Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) has contracted out work on handling data in relation to the processing of applications for CRB certificates to its private sector partner, Capita. This does not involve the sensitive matching of a person's details to criminal conviction information, which is performed by civil servants.

Criminal Records Bureau

Lord Lexden: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many (a) teachers, and (b) support staff in schools, have been checked (1) successfully, and (2) unsuccessfully, by the Criminal Records Bureau, in each of the last three years.

Lord Wallace of Saltaire: The Government do not hold this information. In processing a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) certificate, the CRB will provide information from records held on the Police National Computer (PNC) and other data sources to an employer and the employer makes a decision about the applicant's suitability. The employers do not notify the CRB of the outcome of their decisions and it is not therefore possible to indicate whether a person has been checked successfully or unsuccessfully. Having said that, the overwhelming majority of CRB certificates do not contain any police conviction information, with 92 per cent of checks being issued clear in 2010-11.

Croatia

Lord Stoddart of Swindon: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the total of pre-accession grants paid to Croatia so far; whether further grants will be paid; whether they have made any assessment of any additional annual costs to the European Union budget following that country's accession to the Union; and, if so, what they are.

Lord Wallace of Saltaire: The total payments made to Croatia under EU pre-accession instruments over the period 2005-10 amount to €230.59 million. The European Commission plans to commit €479 million over the period 2011-13.
	A financial package is currently being negotiated between the European Commission and the Croatian Government, the details of which have not yet been finalised. Once it has been finalised, the Government will make an assessment of any potential additional annual cost to the European Union budget following Croatia's accession to the EU.

Dangerous Dogs

Lord Stone of Blackheath: To ask Her Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the likely impact on ownership of dangerous dogs of the proposed changes to anti-social behaviour measures.

Baroness Northover: The Home Office published More effective responses to anti-social behaviour on 7 February, setting out proposals to ensure that the police and their partners have less bureaucratic, more flexible and more effective means to protect victims and communities from a range of local problems, including those caused by irresponsible dog owners.
	We are still consulting professionals and members of the public on the detail of the proposals, and have not undertaken a specific assessment of the likely impact on ownership of dangerous dogs.

Dangerous Dogs

Lord Stone of Blackheath: To ask Her Majesty's Government when they will report on the consultation on dangerous dogs that closed in 2010.

Lord De Mauley: Following on from the Defra consultation on dangerous dogs issued last year, we have been discussing, across government and with interested parties, the measures needed.
	This is a complex issue with no one solution, so we will be announcing a package of measures shortly. The Home Office is already consulting on a new streamlined legislative framework to tackle anti-social behaviour-including that involving dangerous dogs.

Death Penalty

Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty's Government to which countries they have made representations to cease the death penalty since 12 May 2010.

Lord Howell of Guildford: It is the long-standing policy of the UK to oppose the death penalty in all circumstances as a matter of principle. We regularly make representations to Governments to abolish the death penalty. Countries we have lobbied since 12 May 2010 include our top five priority countries and regions, which are China, Iran, the US, Belarus and the English-speaking Caribbean region. We have also raised the death penalty in a number of our other priority countries, as outlined in our Strategy for Abolition of the Death Penalty published in October 2010.

Debt

Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their estimate of the amount of unsecured debt per head of the United Kingdom population.

Lord Sassoon: The Government estimate the amount of unsecured debt per head of the United Kingdom population to be approximately £3,430. This estimate is based on the stock of unsecured debt of £212 billion from the Bank of England for February 2011 and the UK total population of 61.8 million from the ONS for mid-2009.
	Assuming that those under 16 years of age do not hold any unsecured debt, the amount of unsecured debt per head of the UK population over 16 years old is around £4,250.

Deficit Reduction

Lord German: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their assessment of the likely impact of moving the deficit reduction target from 2015 to (a) 2017, and (b) 2018, on (1) the rate of interest, and (2) the amount of interest to be paid each year on the national debt.

Lord Sassoon: The Government's fiscal mandate is to balance the cyclically-adjusted current budget at the end of the rolling five-year forecast period. The end of the forecast period at Budget 2011 was 2015-16 and the independent Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) forecasts that the Government are on course to meet their target one year early in 2014-15. The OBR also forecasts that the Government will meet the supplementary target to ensure public sector net debt is falling, one year early, in 2014-15.
	Setting this deficit reduction target was essential in order to help keep long-term interest rates down, helping families and businesses through the lower costs of loans and mortgages, and to keep debt and debt interest paid by the Government-and ultimately the taxpayer-lower than would otherwise have been the case.

Deficit Reduction

Lord Barnett: To ask Her Majesty's Government how much they hold in reserves in public expenditure within the deficit reduction plan.

Lord Sassoon: In line with previous practice, the Government have set separate resource and capital reserves in departmental expenditure limits (RDEL and CDEL), which provide a contingency to meet unforeseeable costs that arise over the 2010 spending review period, and an annually managed expenditure (AME) margin, which is a contingency against changes in the AME forecast. The latest figures were published in tables 2.3 and 2.4 of Budget 2011 and are summarised in the table below:
	
		
			 £ billion 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 
			 RDEL Reserve 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.5 
			 CDEL Reserve 0.9 1.0 1.0 1.1 
			 AME margin 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 
			 Total contingency 4.2 5.5 6.6 7.6 
			 Total contingency as a % of total managed expenditure 0.6% 0.8% 0.9% 1.0% 
		
	
	In addition to the reserves held for contingency, the Government also set aside a special reserve for the net additional cost of military operations in the 2010 spending review. This reflected an agreed forecast for expenditure over the spending review period, taking account of the Government's military commitment in Afghanistan. This is not a fixed budget and the Treasury remains committed to funding all the net additional costs of military operations in Afghanistan from the special reserve.

Deputy Prime Minister's Office

Lord Touhig: To ask Her Majesty's Government what has been the cost of the Deputy Prime Minister's office since May 2010.

Lord McNally: The cost of the Deputy Prime Minister's Office between May 2010 and February 2011 was £1,158,674. The Deputy Prime Minister's Office sits within the Cabinet Office and draws upon the support and resources of the wider department.

Deputy Prime Minister's Office

Lord Touhig: To ask Her Majesty's Government how much has been spent on travel for the Deputy Prime Minister since May 2010.

Lord McNally: Details of the Deputy Prime Minister's overseas travel expenditure are published quarterly and can be found on www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk. Within the UK, the Deputy Prime Minister travels making the most efficient and cost effective arrangements, including by public transport. His travel arrangements are in accordance with the arrangements for official travel as set out in the Ministerial Code.

Deputy Prime Minister's Office

Lord Touhig: To ask Her Majesty's Government how much has been spent from public funds since May 2010 on security for the Deputy Prime Minster.

Lord McNally: It has been the practice of successive Governments not to comment on security matters.

Directors of Public Health

Baroness Gould of Potternewton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what will be the status and role of the directors of public health; and to whom they will be responsible.

Earl Howe: Annexe A of Health Lives, Healthy People: Our Strategy for Public Health in England sets out our vision for the role of the director of public health as the principal adviser on all health matters to the local authority, its elected members and officers, on the full range of local authority functions and their impact on the health of the local population, including identifying health inequalities and developing and implementing local strategies to reduce them.
	The Health and Social Care Bill 2011 proposes that following the abolition of primary care trusts, directors of public health, employed by local authorities but jointly appointed with the Secretary of State, will be responsible for the new public health functions transferred to local authorities.
	The Bill does not prescribe to whom the director of public health shall be responsible, as this is a matter for local determination.

Disabled People: Mobility Scooters

Baroness Gardner of Parkes: To ask Her Majesty's Government, in view of the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012, what steps they will take to consult other countries on the introduction of a recognised international standard for the use of mobility scooters on public transport.

Lord De Mauley: We have no plans to consult other countries on the introduction of a recognised international standard in time for the Olympics and Paralympics. However, we will be seeking to ensure that information on the use of mobility scooters on public transport is available for all visitors to the Olympics and Paralympics.

Drugs: Appraisals

Lord Clement-Jones: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have requested that the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence implement the guidance in its 2006 report, Appraising Orphan Drugs.

Earl Howe: The report from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) made specific proposals for the appraisal of drugs for conditions with a prevalence of less than one in 50,000. We have no plans to ask NICE to establish a separate appraisal system for such drugs.

Drugs: Appraisals

Lord Clement-Jones: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether there is a formal process for the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence to follow when a final decision on a drug appraisal process has been repeatedly delayed; and what information should be provided to the relevant manufacturer as part of the process.
	To ask Her Majesty's Government what requirements there are that require the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence to issue guidance on new medicines in a timely manner; and what is the maximum amount of time an appraisal process for a new drug should take.

Earl Howe: These are matters for the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) as an independent body. Following the referral of a topic to NICE, technology appraisal guidance is developed in accordance with NICE's published process and methods guides.
	NICE aims to issue draft or final guidance on the majority of drugs appraised through its single-technology appraisal process within six months of a drug's market authorisation.
	Stakeholders in NICE technology appraisals, including the manufacturer or sponsor of the technology, are routinely kept up to date on progress as part of the appraisal process.

Drugs: Appraisals

Lord Clement-Jones: To ask Her Majesty's Government when they expect that a separate appraisal mechanism for orphan and ultra-orphan drugs will be developed by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence or the Advisory Group for National Specialist Services.
	To ask Her Majesty's Government what powers they have to direct the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence to adapt existing appraisal mechanisms or to adopt new ones.
	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will direct the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence to adopt different appraisal mechanisms when looking at treatments for children or very rare diseases.

Earl Howe: We have no plans to ask the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) or the Advisory Group for National Specialised Services (AGNSS) to develop separate appraisal mechanisms to appraise orphan and ultra-orphan drugs, treatments for very rare diseases or treatments for children.
	The vast majority of new drugs and significant licence extensions are considered through the topic selection process for NICE's technology appraisal programme. If NICE considers that by undertaking an appraisal it would not be able to add value, then for high-cost, low-volume drugs for very rare conditions, NICE can send the technology to AGNSS for assessment for possible inclusion in the arrangements for national specialised commissioning.
	Under Section 8 of the National Health Service Act 2006, the Secretary of State can direct NICE as he deems necessary. However, Ministers are clear that NICE is an independent body and must be free to develop its own technology appraisal processes and methods.

Education: Careers Advice

Lord Beecham: To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress has been made in implementing an all-age careers service; what is the current timetable for its establishment; and what funding will be provided annually by the Department for Education and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

Lord Henley: The Department for Education and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills have consulted with stakeholders about the implementation of an all-age careers service, through a stakeholder advisory group comprising representatives from professional careers organisations and national bodies such as the Local Government Association. The careers service will be established by April 2012, with young people and adults able to access new arrangements for careers guidance from September 2011. Resourcing for the careers service is under consideration, and details of funding for the service will be communicated in due course.

Education: Careers Advice

Lord Beecham: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether those under 18 will continue to receive free careers advice.

Lord Hill of Oareford: The Education Bill proposes a statutory duty on schools to secure access to independent careers guidance for their pupils. The guidance must be presented in an impartial manner and include information on all post-16 options, including apprenticeships. Schools are otherwise free to determine how best to fulfil the duty. This approach recognises that schools are best placed to make decisions about the support that should be offered to their students, working alongside specialist careers advisers where appropriate.
	The new duty applies to pupils in school years 9 to 11. This summer, we will consult on extending the duty to young people up to the age of 18 studying in schools and further education institutions.

Education: ESOL

Lord Greaves: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have commissioned or published equality impact assessments on the proposed changes to funding for the provision of English for Speakers of Other Languages courses.

Baroness Wilcox: The equality impact assessment published alongside Skills for Sustainable Growth (November 2010) found that, at the aggregate level, there are unlikely to be disproportionate impacts on protected groups. A separate assessment of how the changes may affect ESOL learners is currently being carried out by the department. I expect to be able to publish the assessment in due course.

Education: Nurseries and Primary Schools

Lord Dykes: To ask Her Majesty's Government when they will hold discussions with London boroughs and other relevant bodies about shortages of places in both nursery and primary schools in London in the next 10 years.

Lord Hill of Oareford: It is the responsibility of each local authority to manage the supply and demand for school places in their area and secure a place for every child of statutory school age who wants one. The department will continue to provide capital funding and monitor the situation with local authorities in regards to school places both in London and nationally.
	Under Section 7 of the Childcare Act 2006, local authorities have a statutory duty to secure 15 hours per week of free early education for all three and four year-olds who want it. Ninety-five per cent of three and four year-olds take up some or all of their free early education entitlement. Local authorities should consider the preferences of parents in their area and ensure that there are sufficient places available across a range of nursery providers in the maintained, private, voluntary and independent sectors.

Embryology

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Howe on 28 March (WA 211), how many of the 30 experts known to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) (a) have been peer reviewers for HFEA research licence applications, (b) have been members of either the HFEA's Horizon Scanning Panel or of its Scientific and Clinical Advances Group, and (c) have never acted in any such capacity; and how many in each of these categories are currently based in the United Kingdom.
	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Howe on 28 March (WA 211), which funding bodies and professional societies were notified of the call for evidence and invited to distribute it more widely.

Earl Howe: The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has advised that the information requested by the noble Lord on the experts referred to in my Written Answer of 28 March (Official Report, col. WA 211) is shown in the following table:
	
		
			 Mitochondrial Donation: Experts who have been Peer Reviewers for HFEA or Members of HFEA Committees 
			  Based in the UK Based outside the UK 
			 a) Peer reviewer for HFEA research licence applications 2 2 
			 b) Member of either the HFEA's Horizon Scanning Panel or of its Scientific and Clinical Advances Advisory Committee 3 2 
			 c) Neither 11 16 
		
	
	Notes:
	A total of 34 experts were sent the call for evidence, some of whom have been a peer reviewer for HFEA research licence applications and also a member of the HFEA's Horizon Scanning Panel or Scientific and Clinical Advances Advisory Committee and are, therefore, counted twice in the table.
	Source: Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority
	The HFEA has also advised that its call for evidence be sent to the following funding bodies and professional societies with an invitation to distribute more widely if relevant:
	Academy of Medical Sciences;Association of Clinical Embryologists;Association of Genetic Nurses and Counsellors; Association of Medical Research Charities;Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council; British Fertility Society;British Medical Association;British Society for Human Genetics; Genetics Interest Group;Human Genetics Alert;Medical Research Council;Mitochondrial Research Guild;Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecologists; Scottish Stem Cell Network;Society for Inherited Metabolic Disorders;Society for Reproduction and Fertility;Society For The Study of Inborn Errors of Metabolism;the Children's Mitochondrial Disease Network;the Mitochondrial Medicine Society;the Mitochondrial Research Portal;the Mitochondrial Research Society;the Royal Society;the UK Stem Cell Foundation;United Mitochondrial Disease Network; andWellcome Trust.

Embryology

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Howe on 28 March (WA 211), whether each of the individual experts, funding bodies and professional societies were simultaneously notified by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) about its call for evidence on the safety and efficacy of techniques to avoid mitochondrial disease through assisted conception on Monday 28 February 2011; if not, on which day each was notified; and how many confirmed receipt in any way of the relevant notification.
	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Howe on 28 March (WA 211), what is the full timetable set by the Secretary of State; and what is the reasoning behind it.
	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Howe on 28 March (WA 211), how many of the 30 experts known to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) are currently holders of HFEA research licences.
	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Howe on 28 March (WA 211), how many of the submissions to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) Core Panel came from individuals who had not been directly contacted by the HFEA; and, of those, how many were informed by other funding bodies and professional societies, and how many responded to the announcement on the HFEA website.

Earl Howe: The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has advised that it sent out its call for evidence to the individual experts, funding bodies and professional societies referred to on 28 February 2011. The authority did not seek confirmation of receipt.
	The HFEA has also advised that one of the experts referred to is currently an HFEA research licence holder.
	The HFEA has advised that it received submissions of evidence from three individuals who had not directly been sent the call for evidence and a joint submission from two individuals, one of whom had not directly been sent the call for evidence. The HFEA does not hold information on how many of these individuals were informed by other funding bodies and professional societies or responded to the announcement on the authority's website.
	The HFEA has been asked to report to the Secretary of State by mid-April. This apart, no timetable has been set for consideration of whether regulations should be made to allow mitochondrial transfer.

Employment: Northern Ireland

Lord Lexden: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many people are employed in (a) the public sector, and (b) the private sector, in Northern Ireland.
	To ask Her Majesty's Government how many people working in the private sector in Northern Ireland are employed in indigenous firms; and how many in foreign-owned businesses.
	To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the total size of the Northern Ireland Civil Service; and what percentage it represents of the total number in employment in Northern Ireland.
	To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the total number of people employed by elected local councils and statutory boards in Northern Ireland; and what percentage it represents of the total number in employment in Northern Ireland.

Baroness Garden of Frognal: The statistical information the noble Lord has requested is not held by Her Majesty's Government. Employment matters and the Northern Ireland Civil Service are devolved and the responsibility of the relevant Northern Ireland Executive Minister.
	Chapter two of the HM Treasury paper Rebalancing the Northern Ireland economy, which was drawn up in consultation with Northern Ireland Ministers, provides an analysis by Treasury Ministers of the current state of the Northern Ireland economy. This can be viewed at:
	www.hmtreasury.gov.uk/consult_rebalancing_ni_ economy.htm

Employment: Work Programme

Lord German: To ask Her Majesty's Government which contractors have been selected for the Work Programme in each region of the United Kingdom.

Lord Freud: The list of preferred bidders is available in the Library and on the supplying DWP website.

Energy: Biofuels

Lord Bradshaw: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Sassoon on 1 April (WA 311) and in light of their intention to end the duty differential in favour of used cooking oil biofuel by the end of the present financial year, how they intend to stimulate investment in this industry.

Lord Sassoon: As indicated by my noble friend Lord Marland in his Written Answer of 28 March (WA212), the intention is that the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation shall provide double support of biofuels derived from wastes and residues, including used cooking oil. An open consultation is currently under way at www.dft. gov.uk/consultations/open/2011-05.

Energy: Biofuels

Lord Bradshaw: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have for stimulating the proposed production of biofuels at the plant in Billingham, formerly operated by the Biofuels Corporation.

Lord De Mauley: The Government have no specific plans to support this biofuels plant.
	However, we are currently consulting on proposals to amend the renewable transport fuel obligation to implement the transport elements of the European Renewable Energy Directive (RED), which requires the UK to source 10 per cent of transport energy from renewable sources by 2020.
	These proposals include providing additional support for biofuels made from waste by awarding two renewable transport fuels certificates to each litre of fuel supplied. Crop-based biofuels will continue to get one certificate per litre, as long as they meet the mandatory sustainability criteria.
	In addition, if the plant produces biodiesel made from used cooking oil (UCO) it will benefit from the 20p lower fuel duty rate for this particular fuel which will run until April 2012.

Energy: Gas and Electricity Prices

Lord Stoddart of Swindon: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their estimate of the additional annual cost of electricity and gas to (a) domestic consumers and (b) industrial and commercial consumers, for each year between 2011 and 2020 when the price of carbon rises from £16 to £30 per ton.

Lord Sassoon: An explanation of the impact of the carbon price floor on wholesale electricity prices and the likely average bill impact is provided in HMRC's Tax Information and Impact Note which was published alongside the Budget.
	This is available online at: http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/budget2011/tiin6111.pdf

Energy: Nuclear Power

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: To ask Her Majesty's Government what advice they have received from the Government Chief Scientist with regard to safety operating margins for civil nuclear power plants in the light of the events at Japan's Fukushima plant; and whether they will be conducting a review.

Lord De Mauley: The Government Chief Scientific Adviser has played a key role in the wake of the Fukushima incident to enable the Government to access sound scientific advice in real-time as the situation has developed. This role has focused predominantly on the more immediate events in Japan, including chairing the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (http://www.bis.gov.uk/go-science/science-in-government/global-issues/civil-continegncies) and helping to ensure that practical advice, and where appropriate reassurance, has been available to British citizens in the region.
	My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change has asked the UK Chief Nuclear Inspector, Dr Mike Weightman, to provide a report to the Government on the implications of the unprecedented events in Japan and the lessons to be learned for the UK nuclear industry. He has asked for an interim report by mid-May 2011 and a final report within six months. The reports will be put in the public domain.
	The Government Chief Scientific Adviser and the Chief Nuclear Inspector continue to liaise and are working jointly to provide this important advice to government.

Energy: Oil and Gas

Viscount Astor: To ask Her Majesty's Government when they will set the trigger price for the reduction in the supplementary oil and gas charge; and at what level they will set it.

Lord Sassoon: The Government believe that a trigger price of $75 per barrel is appropriate, but will set a final level and mechanism after seeking the views of oil and gas companies, and motoring groups.

Energy: Oil and Gas

Viscount Astor: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of setting a sliding scale for the supplementary oil and gas charges.

Lord Sassoon: The 2011 Budget made a commitment that, "In future years, if the oil price falls below a set trigger price on a sustained basis, the Government will reduce the Supplementary Charge back towards 20 per cent on a staged and affordable basis while prices remain low."

Energy: Oil and Gas

Viscount Astor: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the supplementary oil and gas charge on oil and gas field decommissioning.

Lord Sassoon: The 2011 Budget documentation sets out that "the Government does not expect a significant impact on investment or production in the forecast period as a consequence of this measure".
	Therefore the impact of the increase in the supplementary charge on the costs of, or the timing of, decommissioning is also not expected to be significant in the forecast period.
	The Government will work with the industry with the aim of announcing further, longer-term certainty on decommissioning at Budget 2012.

Energy: Prices

Lord Reay: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by the Minister of State for Energy and Climate Change, Mr Gregory Barker, on 29 March (HC col. 264W), on what assumptions they estimate domestic energy bills will be reduced as a result of the introduction of a carbon price floor.

Lord Marland: The carbon price floor is expected to reduce energy bills compared to what they otherwise would have been in the late 2020s because the policy is expected to reduce wholesale electricity prices in the same period. An explanation of the impact of the carbon price floor on wholesale electricity prices is given in the economic impact section of HMRC's Tax Impact and Information Note (available online at: http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/budget2011/tiin6111.pdf):
	"The price floor increases the wholesale electricity price above the baseline forecast price until the late 2020s. Wholesale electricity prices are expected to flatten out in the 2020s as more low-carbon generation capacity lowers the marginal cost of electricity generation. As a result, wholesale electricity prices are lower by 2030".
	The analysis assumes the impact of the policy on wholesale electricity prices is fully passed on to retail electricity prices faced by end-consumers of electricity.

Energy: Prices

Lord Reay: To ask Her Majesty's Government how much they estimate is added to (a) the average domestic energy bill, and (b) the average energy bill of small and medium-sized businesses, by (1) the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme, (2) the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target, (3) the Community Energy Saving Programme, (4) the Renewables Obligation, (5) the Climate Change Levy, and (6) any other direct or indirect levies or taxes; and what they forecast the figures will be in 2015.

Lord Marland: DECC published Estimated impacts of energy and climate change policies on energy prices and bills in July 2010, available online at http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/what_we_do/uk_supply/aes/impacts/impacts.aspx, alongside the annual energy statement, with a commitment to publish updated analysis annually alongside future annual energy statements.
	This analysis considered the impact of energy and climate change policies (Annexe A details all policies considered in the analysis) on the gas and electricity prices and bills of an average household and a medium-sized non-domestic energy user (based on quantity of energy consumed, not number of employees).
	A detailed breakdown of the contribution of each individual policy on the average gas and electricity bill of these users in 2010, 2015 and 2020 is presented in Annexe E.
	Since July 2010, there have been a number of policy announcements which will mean the estimated impact of policies on the average energy bill in 2015 and 2020 will have changed. These include announcements that the renewable heat incentive and carbon capture and storage demonstrations will be funded through general taxation, the introduction of a carbon price floor and proposals for electricity market reform. In addition, a number of policies are still under development and funding options for these policies are still under consideration.
	DECC will be publishing updated estimates to reflect changes since July 2010 alongside the next annual energy statement.

Enterprise Zones

Lord Empey: To ask Her Majesty's Government what tax incentives are planned to facilitate the introduction of enterprise zones in England; and whether tax incentives will be made available to enterprise zones in all parts of the United Kingdom.

Lord Sassoon: The Government are establishing 21 enterprise zones in England. All of these enterprise zones will benefit from a business rate discount worth up to £275,000 per business over a five-year period. All business rates growth within the zone for a period of at least 25 years will be retained by the local area, to support local economic priorities. The Government will also consider the scope for enhanced capital allowances for plant and machinery, subject to state aid approval, where there is a strong focus on manufacturing.
	Economic development policy is a devolved matter in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The UK Government will work with the devolved Administrations in establishing enterprise zones if they so wish. The Government have made funding available in the Budget to support enterprise zones in the devolved Administrations through the Barnett formula.

Equality

Lord Dykes: To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they will take to address concerns about inequalities in British society.

Baroness Garden of Frognal: Equality is at the heart of this coalition Government. It is fundamental to building a strong economy and a fair society. In these challenging economic times, equality is more, not less important. As we take difficult decisions necessary to tackle the UK's record deficit, we are determined to do so fairly, protecting the most vulnerable and promoting equal opportunities for all.
	The Government published their strategy on equality, Building a Fairer Britain, in December last year. A copy of the strategy was placed in the Libraries of both Houses and it has been published online at www.equalities.gov.uk.
	The strategy focuses on five key areas:
	tackling deprivation and inequality relating to family background to improve social mobility by helping children and their families to get the best start in life;building a fair and flexible labour market that draws on the talents of all and builds a strong economy;devolving power to citizens and local communities and promoting greater participation and inclusion in public, political and community life;building respect for all and tackling discrimination, hate crime and violence; andputting equality at the heart of government and ensuring more accountable and transparent public services.
	Delivery of the strategy is overseen by an inter-ministerial group on equalities, chaired by the Home Secretary as Minister for Women and Equalities.

Equality

Lord Ouseley: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many legal challenges have been made in the past year to the Department for Education's compliance with equality legislation; what were the outcomes; and what remedial action, if any, has been initiated.

Lord Hill of Oareford: There have been four sets of legal proceedings issued against the department in the past year in which allegations relating to the Department for Education's compliance with the equality legislation have been made. Three of these claims were public law claims (judicial review), and one was a private law claim (disability discrimination).
	In relation to the outcome of the judicial review claims, one has only recently been issued and no decision has yet been made by the court on whether permission should be granted to allow it to proceed. In relation to the second judicial review claim, which was brought jointly against the Department for Education and the Ministry of Justice, the claimant was refused permission to proceed by the court. In the remaining judicial review claim, which concerned the cancellation of the Building Schools for the Future programme, the claimants were unsuccessful with their main allegations relating to irrationality and substantive legitimate expectation but were successful in relation to allegations of a lack of consultation and that there had been inadequate regard paid to the general equality duties contained in the Sex Discrimination Act 1975, Race Relations Act 1976 and Disability Discrimination Act 1995. In order to remedy this, the Secretary of State is currently involved in further consultation with the six local authorities involved in that litigation and in further assessing the equality impact, following which the decision about funding for their BSF projects will be retaken.
	The private law claim alleging disability discrimination was struck out by the court because it had been issued outside the statutory limitation period and the judge did not feel it would be appropriate to exercise discretion to disapply the limitation period, given the facts.

Equality

Lord Ouseley: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many legal challenges have been made in the past year to the Department of Health's compliance with equality legislation; what were the outcomes; and what remedial action, if any, has been initiated.

Earl Howe: The department has not received any legal challenges regarding its compliance with the race, gender or disability equality duties in the past year.

Equality Act 2010

Lord Ouseley: To ask Her Majesty's Government why they decided to re-draft and re-open consultation on the Public Sector Equality Duty under the Equality Act 2010.

Lord Wallace of Saltaire: The decision to review the draft specific equality duties regulations, published on 12 January, reflects the coalition Government's commitment to cutting bureaucracy and increasing transparency. We believe there is room to do more to focus public bodies on providing equal treatment and equal opportunities for all, and not the performance of bureaucratic processes.

Equality Act 2010

Lord Ouseley: To ask Her Majesty's Government when the Public Sector Equality Duty under the Equality Act 2010 will come into force, following their decision to re-open consultation on it.

Lord De Mauley: The public sector Equality Duty at Section 149 of the Equality Act 2010 came into force on 5 April 2011. The Government are currently seeking views on new specific duties to support this, which will reduce bureaucracy and increase transparency.

Equality Act 2010 (Statutory Duties) Regulations 2011

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Verma on 31 January (WA 224), whether the recent guidance of the Equality and Human Rights Commission under the Equality Act 2010 (Statutory Duties) Regulations 2011 on the requirement on public authorities to provide the race, disability, gender, age breakdown and distribution of their workforces requires routine employee monitoring.

Lord De Mauley: The Equality and Human Rights Commission's guidance is non-statutory, and compliance with it is therefore not compulsory. The draft referred to is currently being revised to take account of the proposals set out in the Government's policy review paper on these duties, published on 17 March 2011.

Equality Act 2010 (Statutory Duties) Regulations 2011

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Verma on 28 March (WA 215), on what basis they estimate that the new duties under the Equality Act 2010 (Statutory Duties) Regulations 2011 will result in an annual cost to the public sector of £20 million to £26 million compared with £40 million to £45 million for complying with the previous duties.

Baroness Northover: The existing equality duties on race, disability and gender are underpinned by a number of specific requirements (known as the specific duties). The specific duties for each of the three existing duties require public bodies to publish detailed equality schemes, action plans and annual reports.
	The new draft regulations, published on 17 March, cover a wider range of protected characteristics than did previous regulations, applying not only to race, disability and gender, but also to age, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, religion or belief and sexual orientation. However, the regulations are a single instrument setting out uniform requirements in all areas, replacing three different sets of regulations each with different requirements.
	They also cut out the unnecessarily prescriptive and bureaucratic requirements imposed by the existing specific duties. They require public bodies simply to set equality objectives, and be transparent about how they are complying with the duty. This harmonisation and change in approach is expected to result in the reduced compliance costs mentioned in the question.

Equality Act 2010 (Statutory Duties) Regulations 2011

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Verma on 28 March (WA 215), how many public authorities will be subject to duties under the Equality Act 2010 (Statutory Duties) Regulations 2011 to have due regard to the need to eliminate discrimination, advance equality of opportunity, foster good relations and publish annual updates on how diverse their workforces are.

Lord Wallace of Saltaire: The general duty to have due regard to the need to eliminate discrimination, advance equality of opportunity and foster good relations is set out in Section 149 of the Equality Act 2010, rather than in the draft regulations referred to. It will apply to around 27,000 public bodies.
	The Government are currently seeking views on the draft regulations, which will enable public authorities listed in Schedule 19 to the Act to carry out the general duty more effectively. We are proposing that the specific requirement to publish workforce information will apply only to public authorities with 150 or more staff.

Ethiopia and Kenya

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they are discussing with the Governments of Ethiopia and Kenya the implications of the completion of the Gibe III hydro-electric dam for the Omo River and for Lake Turkana and the people dependent on them.

Lord Howell of Guildford: In Kenya, our high commissioner in Nairobi has discussed with the Kenyan Government the implications for Lake Turkana of the building of the Gibe III hydro-electric dam. The Kenyan Government advised that environmental and economic studies had been carried out.
	We are also following the issue closely in Ethiopia. We support the Ethiopian Government's right to use their resources to support their economic development, but ensuring that the environment and rural livelihoods are not negatively affected is also an important element of our ongoing engagement in Ethiopia.
	We have also discussed the project with the African Development Bank, the European Investment Bank and the World Bank. There is a possibility that multilateral banks will no longer be directly involved in the project, however, and in light of this we are considering other options for engagement. We will continue to monitor the implications of the completion of the dam.

EU: Budget

Lord Stoddart of Swindon: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will take action to prevent the implementation of the decision of the European Parliament to increase its 2012 budget by 2.9 per cent.

Lord Sassoon: The Government regret the European Parliament's decision to seek to increase its budget by 2.3 per cent in 2012.
	Member states in the Council of Ministers have, however, only limited influence over the budget of the European Parliament. Nevertheless, the Government believe the European Parliament should make every effort to deliver efficiency savings in its budget. The UK believes that the EU should deliver more for less, and is opposed to all wasteful spending.

EU: Legislation

Lord Bowness: To ask Her Majesty's Government which European Union Acts in the field of police co-operation and judicial co-operation in criminal matters, adopted before the coming into force of the treaty of Lisbon, remain subject to notification by the United Kingdom pursuant to article 10(4) of Protocol 36 to the European Union Treaties, which would lead to their ceasing to apply to the United Kingdom in accordance with that article.

Baroness Neville-Jones: The notification under Article 10(4) of the Protocol on Transitional Provisions (Protocol 36) applies to any measure adopted before l December 2009 under a police and criminal judicial co-operation legal base (Title VI of the Treaty on the European Union). The notification does not apply to measures which have subsequently been repealed, annulled or amended by the adoption of a new measure. In making the notification, all such measures would cease to apply to the UK from 1 December 2014.

EU: Membership

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the proposal for democratic autonomy put forward by the Democratic Society Party (BDP) in Turkey, in light of that country's application for membership of the European Union.

Lord Howell of Guildford: The Government have not made such an assessment. The UK Government and the EU Commission regularly discuss with Turkey the political reforms required for the EU accession process. However, the UK Government believe that it is for Turkey to decide on amendments to their constitution.

EU: Solvency II Directive

Baroness Noakes: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their analysis of the impact of the Solvency II directive on the ability of United Kingdom businesses to raise money through corporate bonds.

Lord Sassoon: The details of the Solvency II rules have not yet been finalised, and it is therefore not possible at this stage to assess the likely impact on the ability of businesses to raise money through corporate bonds.
	The Government continue to work closely with the Financial Services Authority and with the insurance industry to ensure a full understanding of the potential impact of the detailed measures proposed by the European Commission. It is recognised that savings products offered by insurance companies can be partly underpinned by corporate bonds held by those insurance companies and the Solvency II regime needs appropriately to reflect this.

EU: UK Members

Lord Stoddart of Swindon: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether United Kingdom Members of the European Parliament will be permitted to use European grants, personal expense allowances, or staff paid from European Union funds to campaign in United Kingdom general, devolved assembly or local elections or on issues covered by referendums.

Lord Howell of Guildford: Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) receive allowances for annual travel, subsistence and general expenditure to run their offices. These cover specific expenses and should not be used for other purposes. While the allowance system has become more transparent as a result of recent reforms, this Government remain committed to making sure that the British people have the same level of oversight over British MEPs as they now do over MPs.
	MEPs may belong to political parties at a European level. The regulations governing political parties at European level and the rules regarding their funding do not allow these parties to participate in national campaigns.
	In addition, there are domestic restrictions on who can make donations to candidates and political parties contesting general, devolved or local elections in the UK and permitted participants in national referendum campaigns. These, together with specific limits on expenditure, are set out primarily in the Representation of the People Act 1983 and the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000. MEPs and their staff are subject to these rules.

Fluoridation

Earl Baldwin of Bewdley: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Howe on 21 March (WA 110-11), why the National Fluoride Information Centre bases its claim for "exactly the same effects" between naturally and artificially fluoridated water in human subjects on a theoretical paper from July 2002, when the Department of Health, on the subsequent advice of the Medical Research Council that "New studies are needed", commissioned the Newcastle study in 2003 which investigated the question for the first time in human subjects and reported in 2004 and 2005.
	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Howe on 21 March (WA 110-11), whether they will now answer the second and third parts of the question.

Earl Howe: Although the department used to fund the National Fluoride Information Centre (NFIC), it did not have editorial control over its website. We understand that NFIC considered that the Newcastle study corroborated the study conducted by the Water Research Consultancy and decided not to reference it. Had NFIC enquired into (a) why only 20 subjects were included in the study, the department would have let it know that, in tendering for the study, the School of Dental Sciences at Newcastle University proposed a sample size of 20 subjects. Accordingly, the answer to point (b) is that the university completed the study to its chosen specifications. The caveats about sample size are available in the full report, together with the other details of the study, for anyone who wishes to enquire.

Fluoridation

Baroness Gardner of Parkes: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the continuous fluoridation of water in Birmingham since 1964 has had beneficial effects on dental health; and whether the pattern of general health in Birmingham differs from other parts of the United Kingdom.

Earl Howe: Levels of dental decay in the fluoridated West Midlands are less than half those of areas of a similar socio-economic profile in Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Yorkshire, where there are no schemes to add fluoride to the water.

Fluoridation

Baroness Gardner of Parkes: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, in view of the High Court decision on the water fluoridation scheme in Southampton, they will encourage other health authorities to consult on the introduction of similar schemes elsewhere.

Earl Howe: The Chief Dental Officer has advised primary care trusts with high levels of tooth decay to consider requesting their strategic health authority to undertake public consultation on the fluoridation of their water supplies. The Government's policy is that decisions on fluoridation should be taken locally.

Fluoridation

Earl Baldwin of Bewdley: To ask Her Majesty's Government why the National Fluoride Information Centre cites in the "Is it safe?" section of its website, as a finding of the York Review of water fluoridation, a figure of 3 per cent of people in fluoridated areas suffering from fluorosis "of aesthetic concern", whereas the York report at section 7.2.1 table 7.7 gives the figure as 12.5 per cent.

Earl Howe: We understand that this is because many of the 88 studies included by York in their main analyses were conducted on populations in developing countries consuming naturally fluoridated water. The environment in some of these countries is likely to be substantially different from that in the United Kingdom. For example, other factors may be present such as malnutrition, a known cause of enamel defects, and a hotter climate, resulting in higher consumption of water. For these reasons, in its report Water Fluoridation and Health, published in 2002, the Medical Research Council suggested that the prevalence of dental fluorosis of aesthetic concern in populations in the UK drinking artificially fluoridated water was probably lower than the estimates presented by the York report.

Fluoridation

Earl Baldwin of Bewdley: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the "judicial enquiry in Scotland in 1985" cited on the website of the National Fluoride Information Centre under "Is it safe?" refers to the 1983 law case of McColl v Strathclyde Regional Council.
	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answers by Lord Darzi of Denham on 20 May 2009 (WA 323-4) and by Earl Howe on 23 June 2010 (WA 187-8), whether "no clear association" between water fluoridation and cancer as well as hip fractures is a more accurate summation of the evidence than the phrase "no evidence of a relationship" which can be found on the website of the National Fluoride Information Centre under "Is it safe?".
	To ask Her Majesty's Government why the National Fluoride Information Centre on its website under the section "Is fluoridation necessary?" in stating that the York systematic review found reductions through fluoridation in dental decay among children, did not include the reviewers' warnings that the low level of the evidence meant that those claims could not be made "with clear confidence".

Earl Howe: Although the department funded the National Fluoride Centre (NFIC) until 31 March 2011, it did not have editorial control of its website. However, we understand that NFIC was referring to McColl v Strathclyde Regional Council. We agree that the phrase "no clear association" is a more accurate reflection of the findings of the York report. We also understand that NFIC did not refer to the qualifications expressed in the York report because of the large body of evidence showing that water fluoridation helps people protect their teeth, including the results of the epidemiological surveys of child dental health.

Food: Chicken

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government , further to the Written Answer by Lord Henley on 29 March (WA 243-4) whether they will ask the Chief Veterinary Officer in his capacity as the United Kingdom delegate to the Office International des Epizooties (OIE) to undertake an outline assessment of chicken production and meat chicken welfare standards in Thailand.

Lord Henley: The Office International des Epizooties (OIE) develops animal health standards that serve as reference for international trade in live animals and their products. The OIE also sets guidelines for animal welfare. The OIE's standards and guidelines are voluntary and the OIE cannot intervene in how its member countries apply these standards.
	Therefore the Chief Veterinary Officer, as UK delegate to the OIE, would be unable to carry out an assessment of welfare standards in Thailand.

Food: Prices

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: To ask Her Majesty's Government what increase there has been over the last six months in the price of (a) rice, (b) maize, (c) wheat, and (d) soya; and to what factors they attribute the increases.

Lord Henley: Over the last six months, rice, maize, wheat and soyabean international nominal prices increased by 7, 28, 9 and 22 per cent respectively.
	Cereal prices largely reflect the supply and demand situation on the world market. The increase in cereal prices over the last six months is a reaction to the lower wheat production in Russia and other Black Sea countries, and the subsequent implementation of grain export restrictions by Russia and Ukraine. Lower than expected maize yields in the United States and in Argentina due to adverse weather conditions, coupled with robust demand and tightening stocks, have also had an impact. Additional factors affecting all agricultural commodities are higher energy prices, which have pushed up farm input costs such as fuel and fertiliser, and US dollar depreciation.
	After the large increases experienced in the second half of 2010, prices for grains dropped due to more favourable weather conditions and external events such as the social and political unrest in the Middle East and North Africa, and the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami in Japan.
	Rice prices rose at the end of 2010 due to robust demand and some perceived tightening of supply in Vietnam, Thailand and the US, and dropped more recently because of improved prospects for Thailand and Vietnam.
	Soyabean prices increased because of strong demand coupled with adverse weather conditions in Argentina and low global stock levels.

Forced Marriage

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answers by Lord McNally on 15 March (WA 39) and by Lord Howell of Guildford on 30 March (WA 274), whether the informal arrangements between the United Kingdom and Pakistan, India and Bangladesh for the mutual recognition of Forced Marriage Protection Orders are in accordance with the principle of legal certainty to inform those affected and other interested parties of their rights and obligations under the relevant domestic laws.

Lord Wallace of Saltaire: While there are no formal agreements in place between the UK and Pakistan, India or Bangladesh for the mutual recognition of forced marriage protection orders, we are aware of incidences where judicial authorities have taken into consideration UK court orders, particularly forced marriage protection orders, in their deliberations. While this may not provide legal certainty for victims or perpetrators, the Forced Marriage Unit and our high commissions continue to work closely with the Pakistani, Indian and Bangladeshi authorities on a case by case basis to maximise the safety and repatriation of victims.
	No evaluation of the efficacy of these informal arrangements has been undertaken. The development of a legal handbook, which will outline the legal remedies available in these countries in relation to forced marriage, will be a first step in setting out these informal arrangements with greater clarity.
	The legal remedies available to those in Pakistan, India and Bangladesh who are protected by forced marriage protection orders made by UK courts will be specific to each country. They may include constitutional remedies such as habeas corpus, most often used to secure an individual's release or recovery from a threatened or actual forced marriage and ensuring that they are produced before the court; civil remedies under family laws and tort actions; and criminal law remedies, such as prosecution of those responsible for contracting, attempting to or actually forcing an individual into marriage.
	In each of these countries the discretion afforded to the judiciary is wide. Hence, we continue to work with the Governments of Pakistan, India and Bangladesh to tackle forced marriage and encourage them to take steps to prevent forced marriages taking place. We also continue to work closely with these Governments to provide effective consular assistance to British nationals affected by forced marriage.

Forced Marriage

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: To ask Her Majesty's Government , further to the Written Answers by Lord McNally on 15 March (WA 39) and by Lord Howell of Guildford on 30 March (WA 274), what legal remedies are available in Pakistan, India and Bangladesh for those who are protected by Forced Marriage Protection Orders made by United Kingdom courts.

Lord Wallace of Saltaire: While there are no formal agreements in place between the UK and Pakistan, India or Bangladesh for the mutual recognition of forced marriage protection orders, we are aware of incidences where judicial authorities have taken into consideration UK court orders, particularly forced marriage protection orders, in their deliberations. While this may not provide legal certainty for victims or perpetrators, the Forced Marriage Unit and our high commissions continue to work closely with the Pakistani, Indian and Bangladeshi authorities on a case by case basis to maximise the safety and repatriation of victims.
	No evaluation of the efficacy of these informal arrangements has been undertaken. The development of a legal handbook, which will outline the legal remedies available in these countries in relation to forced marriage, will be a first step in setting out these informal arrangements with greater clarity.
	The legal remedies available to those in Pakistan, India and Bangladesh who are protected by forced marriage protection orders made by UK courts will be specific to each country. They may include constitutional remedies such as habeas corpus, most often used to secure an individual's release or recovery from a threatened or actual forced marriage and ensuring that they are produced before the court; civil remedies under family laws and tort actions; and criminal law remedies, such as prosecution of those responsible for contracting, attempting to or actually forcing an individual into marriage.
	In each of these countries the discretion afforded to the judiciary is wide. Hence, we continue to work with the Governments of Pakistan. India and Bangladesh to tackle forced marriage and encourage them to take steps to prevent forced marriages taking place. We also continue to work closely with these Governments to provide effective consular assistance to British nationals affected by forced marriage.

Forced Marriage

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answers by Lord McNally on 15 March (WA 39) and by Lord Howell of Guildford on 30 March (WA 274), whether they will publish their evaluation of the efficacy of the informal arrangements between the United Kingdom and Pakistan, India and Bangladesh for the mutual recognition of Forced Marriage Protection Orders.

Lord Wallace of Saltaire: Whilst there are no formal agreements in place between the UK and Pakistan, India or Bangladesh for the mutual recognition of forced marriage protection orders, we are aware of incidences where judicial authorities have taken into consideration UK court orders, particularly forced marriage protection orders, in their deliberations. Whilst this may not provide legal certainty for victims or perpetrators, the Forced Marriage Unit and our high commissions continue to work closely with the Pakistani, Indian and Bangladeshi authorities on a case by case basis to maximise the safety and repatriation of victims.
	No evaluation of the efficacy of these informal arrangements has been undertaken. The development of a legal handbook, which will outline the legal remedies available in these countries in relation to forced marriage, will be a first step in setting out these informal arrangements with greater clarity.
	The legal remedies available to those in Pakistan, India and Bangladesh who are protected by forced marriage protection orders made by UK courts will be specific to each country. They may include constitutional remedies such as habeas corpus, most often used to secure an individual's release or recovery from a threatened or actual forced marriage and ensuring that they are produced before the court; civil remedies under family laws and tort actions; and criminal law remedies, such as prosecution of those responsible for contracting, attempting to or actually forcing an individual into marriage.
	In each of these countries the discretion afforded to the judiciary is wide. Hence we continue to work with the Governments of Pakistan, India and Bangladesh to tackle forced marriage and encourage them to take steps to prevent forced marriages taking place. We also continue to work closely with these Governments to provide effective consular assistance to British nationals affected by forced marriage.

Forced Marriage

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answers by Lord McNally on 15 March (WA 39) and by Lord Howell of Guildford on 30 March (WA 274), what legal principles or rules apply to the exercise of discretion by the judiciary in Pakistan, India or Bangladesh when deciding whether to recognise and give effect to Forced Marriage Protection Orders.

Lord Wallace of Saltaire: Whilst there are no formal agreements in place between the UK and Pakistan, India, or Bangladesh for the mutual recognition of forced marriage protection orders, we are aware of incidences where judicial authorities have taken into consideration UK court orders, particularly forced marriage protection orders, in their deliberations. Whilst this may not provide legal certainty for victims or perpetrators, the Forced Marriage Unit and our high commissions continue to work closely with the Pakistani, Indian and Bangladeshi authorities on a case by case basis to maximise the safety and repatriation of victims.
	No evaluation of the efficacy of these informal arrangements has been undertaken. The development of a legal handbook, which will outline the legal remedies available in these countries in relation to forced marriage, will be a first step in setting out these informal arrangements with greater clarity.
	The legal remedies available to those in Pakistan, India and Bangladesh who are protected by forced marriage protection orders made by UK courts will be specific to each country. They may include constitutional remedies such as habeas corpus, most often used to secure an individual's release or recovery from a threatened or actual forced marriage and ensuring that they are produced before the court; civil remedies under family laws and tort actions; and criminal law remedies, such as prosecution of those responsible for contracting, attempting to or actually forcing an individual into marriage.
	In each of these countries the discretion afforded to the judiciary is wide. Hence we continue to work with the Governments of Pakistan, India and Bangladesh to tackle forced marriage and encourage them to take steps to prevent forced marriages taking place. We also continue to work closely with these Governments to provide effective consular assistance to British nationals affected by forced marriage.

Gaza

Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty's Government what evidence they have received that the Government of Israel is obstructing aid flow through crossings into Gaza.

Baroness Northover: The recent Israeli decision to close completely the crossing at Karni, due to security concerns, has had an impact on the amount of goods which can enter or leave Gaza. Although capacity at Kerem Shalom, now the only permanent crossing into Gaza, has been increased broadly in line with commitments made in June 2010, the overall potential capacity for transporting goods into and out of Gaza has been reduced.
	According to a recent UN report on Gaza, the easing of restrictions announced by Israel in June 2010 has resulted in the increased availability of consumer goods and some raw materials for manufacturers. Although this is welcome, it falls short of what is needed. Only international organisations are allowed to import construction materials which are subject to protracted and complex entry permit procedures. We continue to press the Israeli Government for full and unhindered access for all humanitarian aid, and to meet their recent promises to facilitate exports from Gaza.
	The UN OCHA report Easing the Blockade: assessing the humanitarian impact on the population of the Gaza Strip was published in March 2011 and can be found at www.ocha-opt.org

Gaza

Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty's Government when they plan to hold talks with Hamas leaders in Gaza and Damascus.

Lord Wallace of Saltaire: As the noble Baroness is aware, we do not have any direct contact with Hamas. Hamas must make credible movement towards the Quartet Principles, which remain the benchmark against which its intentions should be judged. We have no plans to hold talks with Hamas leaders in Gaza and Damascus until Hamas have accepted these principles.

Government Departments: Official Entertainment

Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty's Government how much has been spent by Ministers in each department on official entertainment since 12 May 2010.

Lord Sassoon: Specific detail of ministerial expenditure on entertainment is not currently provided, due to disproportionate administrative costs. However, under the revised Ministerial Code, published in May 2010, the Government have committed to publish quarterly details of ministerial expenditure on overseas travel; gifts received and given by Ministers valued at more than £140; hospitality received by Ministers in a ministerial capacity; and details of Ministers' external meetings. These details are available on departmental websites.

Government Departments: Regulations

Lord Ryder of Wensum: To ask Her Majesty's Government what new regulations have been implemented by each department since 2010.

Baroness Wilcox: The Stationery Office provides a list of all UK statutory instruments published each year. The information can be found at the following link: www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2010.

Government Departments: Regulations

Lord Ryder of Wensum: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they have taken to reduce the number of regulations which affect business competitiveness; and what progress they have made in publishing the details and numbers of regulations repeated by each department since May 2010.

Baroness Wilcox: Since May 2010 the Government have taken a number of important steps to reduce regulation.
	We have introduced a One-in, One-out rule to stem the flow of new domestic regulation, stopped the so-called "gold plating" of EU directives and launched a consultation on Employment Tribunals. In The Plan for Growth, published alongside Budget 2011, we set out a range of measures to improve the regulatory environment in the UK further, including a three-year moratorium on new domestic regulation for micro businesses (those with fewer than 10 employees).
	On 7 April the Prime Minister launched the Red Tape Challenge website-every few weeks regulations affecting on specific sector or industry will be published for public challenge and scrutiny. Departments will have three months to decide which regulations to keep and which to remove.
	On 7 April, the Better Regulation Executive also published the One-in, One-out: Statement of New Regulation which identifies the deregulatory steps (OUTs) departments have taken since the One-in, One-out rule came into force. Copies will shortly be laid in the House Library. The report can also be viewed online at:
	http://www.bis.gov.uk/assets/biscore/better-regulation/docs/o/11-p96a-one-in-one-out-new-regulation.pdf

Government Departments: Staff

Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answers by Lord Taylor of Holbeach on 27 January (WA 196), what has been the cost to the public purse in 2010-11 for staffing, premises, equipment and other miscellaneous items for the behavioural insight team based in the Cabinet Office.

Lord Wallace of Saltaire: I have nothing further to add to my Answers to the noble Lord Kirkwood of 27 January (Official Report, col. WA 195).

Government Departments: Travel Expenses

Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Taylor of Holbeach on 31 March (WA 296), how many civil servants in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office are entitled to first-class rail travel when on official business.

Lord Howell of Guildford: We have common rules for rail travel for all grades, so where there is an entitlement to first class travel it is the same for all staff.
	All staff travel standard class where the published one-way rail journey time is less than five hours, unless there are exceptional circumstances such as illness, disability or where first class facilities are essential for working while travelling.
	First class rail travel is otherwise only permitted on rail journeys within the UK that are five hours or longer by the quickest and shortest route. In the past 12 months, 99 per cent of all railway journeys made by staff within the UK were in standard class.

Government Departments: Travel Expenses

Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Taylor of Holbeach on 31 March (WA 296), how many civil servants in the Home Office are entitled to first-class rail travel when on official business.

Baroness Northover: Staff at senior executive officer (SEO) grade and above are entitled, as part of their terms and conditions of employment, to travel first class for business. The need to travel and ticket cost must be given due consideration.
	In spring 2010 the permanent secretary issued austerity instructions to senior managers to reduce all travel using alternatives such as video and/or telephone conferencing and to avoid first class travel as far as possible. The department has significantly reduced first class travel by removing this option completely from the online travel booking service.
	In principle, we have 4,015 staff (15.5 per cent of total staff employed), across the Home Office and its agencies (UK Border Agency, Identity and Passport Service and Criminal Records Bureau) with a contractual entitlement to travel first class: however, with booking accessibility severely restricted, first class travel is significantly reduced. For example, first class rail ticket costs accounted for less than 0.7 per cent of total rail costs in January 2011 compared to 37.8 per cent total rail cost in January 2010.
	Policy on all business travel is currently under review.

Government Departments: Travel Expenses

Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Taylor of Holbeach on 31 March (WA 296), how many civil servants in the Department for Education are entitled to first-class rail travel when on official business.

Lord Hill of Oareford: At present, 1,258 (49 per cent) of staff in my department at the senior executive officer (SEO) grade and above, have a contractual entitlement to first-class rail travel. Despite this entitlement, we have considerably reduced the use of first-class travel, as part of our wider drive to reduce spending and ensure more value for money.
	This financial year, we have reduced the level of first-class travel from 33 per cent in April 2010 to 1.5 per cent in March 2011.

Government Departments: Travel Expenses

Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many flights have been taken by members of the Government since the 12 May 2010; and how many were (a) economy class, (b) business class, and (c) first class.

Baroness Garden of Frognal: The detailed information requested is not held centrally. In line with paragraph 10.3 of the Ministerial Code, information on overseas travel by Ministers, including mode of travel and costs, is published on Departments' websites on a quarterly basis. Ministerial travel is undertaken in accordance with the Ministerial Code.

Government Departments: Travel Expenses

Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Taylor of Holbeach on 31 March (WA 296), how many civil servants at the Department of Energy and Climate Change are entitled to first class rail travel when on official business.

Lord Marland: No Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) staff are automatically entitled to travel by first class rail when on official business. All staff are expected to use standard class unless there is a clear need for travelling by first for example:
	Where first class is cheaper than standard class. Where there are no standard class seats left on the train.Where there are no standard class facilities to accommodate disabled or other specials needs requirements.Any first class rail travel must be approved by the relevant deputy director.

Gypsies and Travellers

Baroness Whitaker: To ask Her Majesty's Government when the National Policing Improvement Agency guidance on relations with Gypsy, Romany and Traveller communities will be produced.

Baroness Northover: The previous guidance is being reviewed in order to give a greater focus on operational service delivery and to assist all police officers in their relations with Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities. A date of publication has yet to be set.

Gypsies and Travellers

Baroness Whitaker: To ask Her Majesty's Government what are the results of the Association of Chief Police Officers' annual review of the Gypsy and Traveller guidance for police forces; and when the revised guidance will be available.

Baroness Neville-Jones: Appropriate revisions are being made to the guidance and publication will follow. The date for publication has yet to be set.

Heads of State: Official Visits

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government which heads of state have visited the United Kingdom in the past five years; and which of those visits did not start in London.

Lord Howell of Guildford: The following heads of state have visited the United Kingdom on state visits (S) or as guests of Her Majesty's Government (G) in the past five years.
	
		
			 2006 
			 President of Dominican Republic (G) 20-26 March 2006 
			 President of Brazil (S) 7-9 March 2006 
			 President of Estonia (G) 2-4 July 2006 
			 President of Liberia (G) 29 May-1 June 2006 
			 President of Lithuania (G) 3-5 July 2006 
			 President of Latvia (G) 3-13 July 2006 
			 President of Algeria (G) 11-12 July 2006 
			 President of Pakistan (G) 28-29 September 2006 
			 King of Jordan (G) 5-7 November 2006 
			 President of Poland (G) 6-8 November 2006 
			 President of Yemen (G) 14-17 November 2006 
			 President of Kazakhstan (G) 20-23 November 2006 
			 2007 
			 President of Tanzania (G) 15-17 January 2007 
			 President of Mexico (G) 28-30 January 2007 
			 Emir of Kuwait (G) 07-09 May 2007 
			 Emperor of Japan (G) 27-29 May 2007 
			 President of Ghana (S) 13-15 March 2007 
			 President of Namibia (G) 30 May-01 June 2007 
			 President of Afghanistan (G) 14-15 February 2007 
			 President of Somalia (G) 20-23 February2007 
			 President of Mongolia (G) 16-19 April 2007 
			 President of Georgia (G) 24-27 April 2007 
			 President of Ukraine (G) 16-17 May 2007 
			 King of Saudi Arabia (S) 29 October-1 November 2007 
			 President of Panama (G) 14-17 September 2007 
			 President of Afghanistan (G) 1-2 August 2007 
			 President of Czech Republic (G) 6-7 November 2007 
			 President of Afghanistan (G) 24-26 October 2007 
			 2008 
			 President of France (S) 26-28 March 2008 
			 President of Sierra Leone (G) 28-29 January 2008 
			 Prime Minister of Australia (G) 4-8 April 2008 
			 President of Ukraine (G) 14-15 May 2008 
			 President of Indonesia (G) 2-3 June 2008 
			 President of Kenya (G) 23 July 2008 
			 President of Nigeria (G) 16-19 July 2008 
			 President of Costa Rica (G) 1-3 September 2008 
			 President of Israel (G) 13-15 November 2008 
			 2009 
			 President of Mexico (S) 31 March-01 April 2009 
			 Premier of China (G) 1-3 February 2009 
			 President of Lebanon (G) 29-30 April 2009 
			 President of Ghana (G) 6-9 May 2009 
			 President of Azerbaijan (G) 13-14 July 2009 
			 President of India (S) 27-29 October 2009 
			 President of Portugal (G) 22-23 June 2009 
			 2010 
			 President of Kenya (G) 22-23 February 2010 
			 President of Afghanistan (G) 27-28 January 2010 
			 President of South Africa (S) 3-5 March 2010 
			 President of Palestine (G) 28-30 January 2010 
			 President of Somalia (G) 8-12 March 2010 
			 The Pope (S) 16-19 September 2010 
			 President of France (G) 18 June 2010 
			 President of Nigeria (G) 1-2 July 2010 
			 Emir of Qatar (S) 26-28 October 2010 
			 President of Chile (G) 18-19 October 2010 
			 President of Turkey (G) 8-9 November 2010 
			 All visits started in London except for those listed below which began in Edinburgh: 
			 2006-President of Estonia (G) 
			 2006-President of Lithuania (G) 
			 2010-The Papal Visit (S)

Health and Safety

Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they have taken in response to the report Common Sense, Common Safety by Lord Young of Graffham.

Lord Freud: The 2011 Budget confirmed that the Government will implement the proposals from Lord Young's report Common Sense, Common Safety.
	My right honourable friend the Minister for Employment, Chris Grayling, has overall responsibility for the implementation of Lord Young's proposals. A report on the latest progress in delivering the proposals can be found on the Department for Work and Pensions website at http://www.dwp.gov.uk/policy/health-and-safety/.

Health and Social Care Bill

Baroness Gould of Potternewton: To ask Her Majesty's Government how they will define public health under current provisions of the Health and Social Care Bill.

Earl Howe: There is not a universally accepted definition of public health. There are, however, three broad domains of public health: health improvement (including people's lifestyles as well as inequalities in health and the wider social influences on health), health protection (including infectious diseases, environmental hazards and emergency preparedness) and health services (including service planning, efficiency and audit and evaluation).
	The Faculty of Public Health defines public health as:
	"The science and art of promoting and protecting health and well-being, preventing ill-health and prolonging life through the organised efforts of society".
	The Health and Social Care Bill (2011) proposes that the Secretary of State will broadly take responsibility for health protection (although local authorities have some existing health protection responsibilities) and local authorities will take responsibility for health improvement.
	Rather than defining the difference between health protection and health improvement in legislation, the Bill instead outlines examples of the types of steps that could be taken for both health improvement and health protection. There is considerable overlap between the two sets of steps. For example, providing information or advice appears as examples under both health protection and health improvement. Such flexibility is needed to ensure that the Secretary of State can act quickly in future against threats that have yet to be identified.

Health: Assessors

The Countess of Mar: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will review their relationship with Atos Healthcare in light of the report by Margaret McCartney in February "Well enough to work?" (British Medical Journal 2011).

Lord Freud: The Government are aware of the article published in the British Medical Journal. They regard the comments as an expression of personal opinion and have no plans to review the relationship with Atos Healthcare as a consequence of the article.

Health: Bedsores

Lord Patel of Blackburn: To ask Her Majesty's Government what measures they are taking to prevent National Health Service patients dying from bedsores.

Earl Howe: There are a number of initiatives in place to improve and sustain high-quality care of patients in hospital, including the detection and treatment of bedsores. These include the "Essence of Care" benchmarking system which includes the "Prevention and Management of Pressure Ulcers"; the NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement's "8 High Impact Actions for Nursing and Midwifery" which includes the action: "Your skin matters: optimising pressure area care aimed at eliminating pressure ulcers in the NHS"; and "Energise for Excellence in Care (E4E)" which aims to support the delivery of safe and effective care.
	The first NHS Outcomes Framework 2011-12, published on 20 December 2010, sets out the outcomes and corresponding indicators that will be used to track the success of the National Health Service in delivering improved outcomes. This includes an indicator currently being developed for 2012-13 to measure incidence of newly acquired category 3 and 4 pressure ulcers.
	To help local organisations and commissioners understand the productivity and cost elements associated with treating patients who have pressure ulcers, the department has published the "Pressure ulcer productivity calculator". This tool was developed using the results of research into the cost of pressure ulcers in the United Kingdom and will also assist in the long-term reduction of pressure ulcer incidences. The calculator is available on the department's website at: www.dh. gov.uk/prod_consum_dh/groups/dh_digitalassets/@dh/@en/@ps/documents/digitalasset/dh_116670.xls.

Health: Contaminated Blood Products

Lord Morris of Manchester: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Howe on 29 March (WA 246), what information they have on the number of people who have died from HIV/AIDS in the past 12 months after being infected by contaminated National Health Service blood and blood products.

Earl Howe: The department does not collate information on the number of deaths of people from HIV/AIDS as a result of receiving National Health Service blood and blood products. However, information received by the department from the Macfarlane Trust indicates that five people with haemophilia who were infected with HIV after receiving NHS blood and blood products have died in the 11 months ending 28 February 20111. It is not known whether they died of HIV/AIDS, or other unrelated causes.
	Notes:
	1The Macfarlane Trust's annual report and accounts for 2009-10 reports that it had 380 infected beneficiaries as at 31 March 2010. The trust has informed the department that as at 28 February 2011, it had 375 infected beneficiaries receiving payments. The trust has not yet published its annual report and accounts for 2010-11.

Health: Contaminated Blood Products

Lord Morris of Manchester: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the statement by Earl Howe on 10 January (Official Report, col. 1230-1), when the discretionary fund announced by the Minister will be established; and what the criteria and qualifications for application will be.

Earl Howe: The discretionary fund announced on 10 January 2011, which has been called the Caxton Foundation, was set up on 28 March 2011. The criteria and qualification for application, which are outlined in the trust deed establishing the foundation, are as follows:
	5 Objects of the Charity
	5.1. The Objects are to provide financial assistance and other benefits to meet any charitable need of:
	5.1.1. (i) individuals who have received blood, blood products or tissues from the National Health Service and in consequence have been infected with the hepatitis C virus; and(ii) an individual who has been so infected by a person in 5.1.1(i); each of whom has received a Stage 1 Payment other than Excluded Persons (together called "Primary Beneficiaries"); and 5.1.2. the partners, parents, carers, children and dependants of Primary Beneficiaries and the partners, parents, carers, children and dependants of Primary Beneficiaries who have died; and5.1.3. the partners, parents, carers, children and dependants of any other individuals who died before 29 August 2003 and whose estates have, for the reasons given in Schedule 5, received a payment under the Skipton Fund Agreement (2).
	5.2. For the purposes of this clause:
	5.2.1. a "partner" is a husband or wife, a widow or widower, a civil partner or a cohabitee of a Primary Beneficiary (including, where applicable, a partner from whom a Primary Beneficiary is or was divorced, separated or has an order for dissolution); and5.2.2. a "carer" is a relation of a Primary Beneficiary who has provided nursing or similar care on terms otherwise than for full consideration in money or money's worth and in consequence has suffered financially and/or in their health.5.2.3. "children" includes step-children.
	5.3. The Trustees shall have the power, with the consent of the Founder, to add individuals to the class of Primary Beneficiaries and to alter the definition of "Excluded Persons".
	Excluded persons are people with HIV (beneficiaries of the Macfarlane Trust and Eileen Trust), and those infected outside England. Following the recent ministerial announcements in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, work is in hand to include people infected with hepatitis C in those areas.
	It will be for the trustees of the charity to determine to whom of the beneficiaries payment is made, and how much.

Health: Contaminated Blood Products

Lord Morris of Manchester: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Statement by Earl Howe on 10 January (Official Report, col. 1230-1), what allowance will be made by the Skipton Fund for widows and dependants who are unable to meet the criteria for payments due to records being destroyed or unavailable.

Earl Howe: The Skipton Fund can approve claims only where claimants can provide the necessary supporting evidence that the applicant meets the eligibility criteria. This must be established on the balance of probabilities. The evidence required to support a claim is outlined in the application form, which can be found on the Skipton Fund's website at: www.skiptonfund.org.
	Applications will be dealt with in accordance with the usual Skipton Fund processes, but clearly the fund must consider all evidence before it.

Health: GP Commissioning Groups

Baroness Gould of Potternewton: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether there will be any designated areas of health that will have to be undertaken by general practitioner consortia under current provisions of the Health and Social Care Bill.

Earl Howe: The Health and Social Care Bill sets out that one of the economic regulator, Monitor's, new core functions is to support commissioners' duties with regard to the continuity of certain specified services in the event of provider failure, by means of a special administration regime. Services will be designated when commissioners apply to them to be designated and against criteria set out in the Bill.

Health: Infection Control

Baroness Masham of Ilton: To ask Her Majesty's Government how infection control and prevention specialists will be involved with the commissioning of services within the new National Health Service and public health structures.

Earl Howe: The consultation document, Healthy Lives, Healthy People; Consultation on the Funding and Commissioning Routes for Public Health set out that the prevention and control of infectious disease will be a key function of the new public health service. Public Health England will carry out the functions currently exercised by the Health Protection Agency. This will include surveillance of infections and other indicators of ill health. We propose that at local level, local authorities will need to work closely with Public Health England health protection units to provide health protection as directed by the Secretary of State. We would expect infection prevention and control specialists to work at all levels of the system in the exercise of these functions.
	We proposed that the National Health Service would remain responsible for funding and commissioning infectious disease treatment and related public health activity; for example, all NHS organisations will continue to need to have adequate infection control policies and procedures. The consultation asks questions about our proposals, including how best we can ensure that NHS commissioning has access to public health advice. The consultation closed on 31 March 2011, and a government response will be published in the summer.

Health: Microbiology

Lord Dykes: To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they are taking to increase public sector support for microbiology projects.

Earl Howe: The department will increase funding for research over the next four years, from £1,004 million in 2011-12 to £1,089 million in 2014-15. The department's National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) welcomes funding applications for research into any aspect of human health, including microbial diseases. These applications are subject to peer review and judged in open competition, with awards being made on the basis of the scientific quality of the proposals made. In all disease areas, the amount of NIHR funding depends on the volume and quality of scientific activity.
	The NIHR Clinical Research Network currently has 112 studies in infectious diseases and microbiology that are in set-up or recruiting patients.
	NIHR funding in this field includes support for the Liverpool Specialist Biomedical Research Centre in Microbial Diseases, and a range of research on microbial diseases carried out by the Health Protection Agency.

Health: Wales

Lord Roberts of Llandudno: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many inpatients from Wales were treated at hospitals and clinics in England during 2010.

Earl Howe: The latest available data (for the financial year 2009-10) from Hospital Episode Statistics show that the number of people that received inpatient treatment in England who lived in Wales was 40,100. Of these, 3,400 lived in Wales but were the responsibility of an English commissioner.
	There were an additional 4,000 patients who lived in England (or whose residence was unrecorded) but were the responsibility of a Welsh commissioner.
	The figures include all patients treated as inpatients by National Health Service providers in England, excluding private patients. The figures do not include patients from Wales who received NHS treatment with private providers in England. Numbers are rounded to the nearest 100 and relate to the number of people, not the number of admissions.

Health: Zoonoses

Lord Wade of Chorlton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to monitor, detect and control zoonoses in the future.

Earl Howe: Sound national surveillance is in place for the monitoring and detection of zoonotic disease of public health significance, and this surveillance will continue under the new public health structures.
	In addition, a number of zoonotic infections are compulsorily notifiable or reportable under veterinary and/or human health legislation in Great Britain, and under the EU Zoonoses Directive 2003/99/EC member states are statutorily required to collect relevant and, where applicable, comparable data on zoonoses, zoonotic agents, antimicrobial resistance and food-borne outbreaks.
	With regards to controlling outbreaks of zoonoses, the Health Protection Agency has issued guidelines for the investigation of zoonotic disease, and works closely with the Department of Health, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Food Standards Agency, the Veterinary Laboratories Agency and Animal Health to ensure that outbreaks are controlled.

Higher Education: Costs

Lord Willis of Knaresborough: To ask Her Majesty's Government what research is being carried out to ascertain the additional costs associated with full-time vocational courses for 16-19 year-old students studying at further education colleges.

Lord Hill of Oareford: The Young People's Learning Agency reviews the number of teaching hours, and therefore the costs, of qualifications on an annual basis. Recommendations are put to an expert external advisory group to decide on any changes needed including those for vocational qualifications.

Higher Education: Funding

Lord Willis of Knaresborough: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have allocated sufficient resources to support the level of income contingent loans and bursaries should all universities choose to apply the £9,000 maximum tuition fee for courses; and, if not, how they propose to limit access to such funding.

Lord Henley: No university wishing to charge over £6,000 yet knows for certain how much it will charge from autumn 2012, because no university yet has in place a plan approved by the Director of Fair Access.
	BIS has been open in the assumptions it has used to model the future costs of student finance. Our estimates are based on an average tuition fee loan of £7,500 being taken out by around 90 per cent of students.
	We know some institutions, such as further education colleges, are keen to provide good quality higher education without charging anything like the maximum permitted. We are keen to encourage those institutions to do so.

Higher Education: Funding

Lord Willis of Knaresborough: To ask Her Majesty's Government how they plan to fund the new bursary scheme for 16-19 year olds in full-time education and training; and the transitionary costs for the next two years.

Lord Hill of Oareford: We are investing £180 million each academic year in the new 16 to 19 bursary fund. The total cost of the transitional support for learner payments will be £124.1 million in financial year 2011-12 and £62.1 million in 2012-13.
	We have always had money set aside within the Department for Education budget for 16 to 19 financial support. As part of the budget discussions we agreed a call on Treasury reserves for a minority of the funding for the new 16 to 19 bursary fund.

Higher Education: Student Loans

Lord Willis of Knaresborough: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is (a) the estimated expenditure in cash terms on maintenance income-contingent loans for full-time higher education students in England in 2011-12, (b) the maximum value of maintenance income-contingent loans in 2011-12, and (c) the maximum level of gross household income at which point students are not eligible for the maintenance loan.

Lord Henley: The estimated cash expenditure on maintenance loans provided to full-time students in higher education in the 2011-12 academic year is expected to be between £3 billion and £3.2 billion. The maximum maintenance loan available to help with living costs depends on where the student is living and studying during the academic year: full-time students starting courses in the 2011-12 academic year can receive up to £3,838 if they live in the parental home while attending university, up to £4,950 if they are living away from home and studying outside London and up to £6,928 if they are living away from home and studying in London. The maximum amount of loan is reduced for full-time students with household incomes over £50,778 but all full-time students, regardless of income, are eligible for a minimum loan equal to 72 per cent of the maximum amount.

Higher Education: Student Loans

Lord Willis of Knaresborough: To ask Her Majesty's Government what would be the estimated saving of restricting payments of maintenance income-contingent loans to students from households with a gross income of (a) £100,000 per year, (b) £80,000 per year, (c) £60,000 per year, and (d) households with lower-rate taxpayers with individual earnings below £44,000.

Lord Henley: The minimum rate of maintenance loan is available to all eligible students domiciled in England with incomes above the means-testing thresholds. They are not obliged to provide income information to the Student Loans Company (SLC) to receive this minimum loan, and the SLC does not therefore have complete data on income distributions above these thresholds. The figures below give, where possible, estimates of the underlying costs to the Exchequer of maintenance loans provided to the specified groups of students, who will start in or after the autumn of 2012, over the spending review period of 2012-13 to 2014-15:
	less than 1 per cent of applicants to the SLC supply information showing a household income above £100,000. This is insufficient basis on which to reliably estimate total costs of providing maintenance loans for students above this threshold;around 10 per cent of applicants to the SLC are estimated to have a household income above £80,000; the total cost of providing maintenance loans for these students may be around £150 million over the spending review period;around 30 per cent of applicants to the SLC are estimated to have a household income above £60,000; the total cost of providing maintenance loans for these students may be around £450 million over the spending review period;the department has data on the total household income of students, rather than the income of individuals within households, as it is the former that determines access to maintenance grants. We cannot, therefore, reliably estimate the total cost of providing maintenance loans to students from households with no individual taxpayer on an income below £44,000.

Higher Education: Student Loans

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether students attending private universities in the United Kingdom are eligible for student loans.

Lord Henley: I will write to the noble Lord and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Higher Education: Student Loans

Lord Willis of Knaresborough: To ask Her Majesty's Government what they estimate the saving will be of restricting payments of maintenance income-contingent loans to students from households with gross income of (a) £100,000 per year, (b) £80,000 per year, (c) £60,000 per year, and (d) households with lower-rate taxpayers with individual earnings below £44,000.

Lord Henley: I will write to my noble friend and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Homelessness

Lord Tope: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact on homelessness of the extension of the shared accommodation rate of housing benefit to single claimants aged between 25 and 34.

Lord Freud: The information required to carry out this assessment is not available. Within the next month we will publish an equality impact assessment for the shared accommodation rate changes, but it will not contain an estimate of the impact on homelessness.

House of Lords: Internet Access

Lord Lucas: To ask the Chairman of Committees when wireless internet access will be available in (a) the Chamber, (b) the Moses Room, and (c) the entire parliamentary estate.

Lord Brabazon of Tara: Wireless internet access is already provided in the Lords Chamber and all Lords Committee Rooms, including the Moses Room. In addition, the Library, Peers' Writing Room, Salisbury Room, Royal Gallery and Committee Corridor have wireless internet access. There are no immediate plans to extend wireless internet access across the whole estate, but some extension of wireless access is in the Department of Parliamentary Information and Communications Technology's five-year strategy.

Houses of Parliament: Scrutiny Override

Lord Roper: To ask Her Majesty's Government, for each department, in the period July to December 2010, (a) on how many occasions the scrutiny reserve resolution in the House of Lords was overridden, (b) on how many occasions the scrutiny reserve resolution in the House of Commons was overridden, and (c) in respect of how many documents an override occurred in one or both Houses.

Lord Howell of Guildford: The effective scrutiny by Parliament of European Union proposals is important and the Government will always seek to avoid breaching the scrutiny reserve resolutions of either House of Parliament where this is possible. Where overrides are required, the Government will continue to account for their actions in writing to the chairmen of the Scrutiny Committees in each House. The figures for the period July-December 2010 represent a return to lower numbers. This followed a difficult period immediately after the dissolution of Parliament in April 2010 when the time taken to establish both Parliamentary EU Scrutiny Committees in the new Parliament led to an increase in the number of overrides. The figures requested are set out in the attached table.
	
		
			 Department (a) House of Lords Override (b) House of Commons override (c) No. of overrides in both Houses (d) Total no. of overrides 
			 Department of Business, Innovation and Skills 1 0 0 1 
			 Department for Energy and Climate Change 2 0 0 2 
			 Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 0 3 0 3 
			 Department for International Development 0 1 0 1 
			 Foreign and Commonwealth Office 11 19 8 22 
			 HM Treasury 3 3 3 3 
			  17 26 11 32

Human Rights

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Howell of Guildford on 28 March (WA 226) concerning issues of human rights in foreign countries visited by Her Majesty the Queen, given that they routinely raise human rights issues with other governments, what human rights issues they have raised with the Republic of Ireland in each of the past five years.

Lord Howell of Guildford: The Government have not found cause to raise human rights issues with the Republic of Ireland in the past five years.

Immigration

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the findings of the report Immigration Bail Hearings: a Travesty of Justice by the Bail Observation Project.

Lord Wallace of Saltaire: The majority of the recommendations in this report apply to the judiciary, who are independent from government. We are not, therefore, able to comment on those recommendations.
	Ministers have given a commitment that detention will be used only as a last resort, with temporary admission or release being granted wherever possible. However, there will be occasions when temporary admission or release is not considered appropriate. The report raises concerns about bail summaries; in all cases where it is proposed that a detained person's bail application be opposed, the UK Border Agency is committed to completing the bail summary fully and accurately. In some cases, relevant information will include an individual's past immigration history, including any periods where they have failed to comply with the conditions of their restrictions or with the conditions of any recognizance (or bail bond) entered into.

Indonesia

Lord Harries of Pentregarth: To ask Her Majesty's Government for what arms export licences were granted to Indonesia over the last two years for which records are available.

Lord Green of Hurstpierpoint: The Government publish information on export licences in the Annual and Quarterly Reports on Strategic Export Controls. These reports contain detailed information on export licences issued, refused or revoked, by destination, including the overall value, type (e.g. Military, Other) and a summary of the items covered by these licences. They are available to view on the Strategic Export Controls: Reports and Statistics website at www. exportcontroldb.berr.gov.uk/eng/fox.

Injunctions

Lord Tebbit: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether powers exist for the grant of injunctions by which individuals may be prohibited from discussing matters concerning the subject of those injunctions with (a) Members of the House of Commons, (b) Members of the House of Lords, (c) the police, or (d) the security services.

Lord McNally: In order to protect the interests of justice in an individual case, the courts have power to prohibit disclosure of specific information to anyone other than the defendant's legal advisers. However, the defendant is always at liberty to apply for the order to be made in different terms (if he or she is represented at the hearing), or subsequently for the terms of the order to be amended (for example to permit disclosure to specific individuals or bodies or for specific purposes).

Isles of Scilly: Sea Link

Lord Berkeley: To ask Her Majesty's Government what are the criteria for their designation of the sea link between the Isles of Scilly and the Cornwall mainland as a "lifeline" service.

Lord De Mauley: The term "lifeline" is in general use to describe vital transport connections between mainland and island communities. It carries no formal or legal status.
	The Government recognise that many people regard maritime passenger and freight services to the Isles of Scilly as a lifeline and that is why we have said that we are committed to ensuring that these continue.

Israel

Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel concerning the treatment of residents in the Bedouin villages in Abu Dis near Jerusalem, and in particular access to water supplies provided by the European Union.

Lord Wallace of Saltaire: We remain concerned that Israel's minority Arab population, including Bedouin Arab minorities, are suffering institutional, legal and societal inequality and discrimination. We continue to support calls made by the EU and the UN for a genuine and satisfactory solution to these problems that the Bedouin communities face.
	We are aware of the situation in Abu Dis, and as the noble Baroness is aware, we have a strong record of lobbying hard on issues relating to house demolitions and settlement building and we continue to pursue this.
	As the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right honourable friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague) said on 5 April 2011:
	"I condemn Israel's decision to approve more than 900 settlement units in the East Jerusalem suburb of Gilo and the retrospective approval which has been given for construction in five West Bank settlements. This is not disputed territory. It is occupied Palestinian territory and ongoing settlement expansion is illegal under international law, an obstacle to peace and a threat to a two state solution. We call on the Israeli authorities to reconsider this decision, which undermines the prospects for peace. All those who support a secure future for Israel and a future Palestinian state should be working urgently to restart peace negotiations, not taking steps which make this more difficult."

Israel

Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel concerning the recent assassination of four members of Hamas in their car.

Lord Wallace of Saltaire: In recent weeks we have made clear to Israel that while we recognise its legitimate right to self-defence, it is vital to ensure that responses to attacks are proportionate and avoid civilian casualties and loss of innocent life.
	More generally, we are concerned at increasing tensions around Gaza and southern Israel, as the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right honourable friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague) said on 7 April:
	"I unreservedly condemn today's attack from Gaza on a bus carrying schoolchildren in southern Israel. The initial reports we have received suggest the bus was deliberately targeted and that a 16 year old boy has been critically injured. This is a despicable and cowardly act that stands in stark contrast to people's desire for peaceful reform across the region. Violence will never deliver peace. I reiterate that Hamas must halt these strikes immediately, and rein in other militant factions in Gaza.
	This attack further highlights Israel's legitimate security concerns. As I have made clear, Israel has every right to protect its people. But it is also important that in so doing that it also shows restraint and makes every effort to avoid causing civilian casualties. I am very concerned about reports that several people in Gaza were killed and others wounded in retaliatory strikes."

Israel

Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty's Government what reports they have received, and what representations they have made, about the destruction of ancient wells near Bethlehem.

Lord Wallace of Saltaire: We are aware of reports that an ancient well was recently demolished near Bethlehem. We are not able to raise every issue, and focus our lobbying on the highest priority issues. We have a strong record of lobbying hard on issues relating to house demolitions and settlement building and we continue to pursue this.

Israel and Palestine

Lord Turnberg: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will support the offer of the Government of Israel to enter into direct peace negotiations with the Palestinian Authority without pre-conditions.

Lord Wallace of Saltaire: We want to see a return to negotiations. We believe negotiations need to take place on the basis of clear parameters in order to secure progress.

Israel and Palestine

Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the Government of Israel to enable the members of the Palestinian Authority currently sheltering in the Red Cross in East Jerusalem to go back to their homes.

Lord Wallace of Saltaire: We have not made any recent representations to the Government of Israel, however, our position remains that forcible transfer of people out of the city for political reasons is illegal under international humanitarian law. The EU has previously raised these specific cases with the Israeli Government, making its views clear.

Israel and Palestine

Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the number of elected members of the Palestinian Authority held in Israeli prisons.

Lord Wallace of Saltaire: We understand that as at 31 December 2010 there were 15 members of the Palestinian Legislative Council imprisoned by Israeli authorities comprising two Fatah members, one member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine and the remaining, members of Hamas.
	We will continue to monitor the situation with regard to all Palestinian prisoners, including Parliamentarians, in Israeli prisons. We call on the Israeli Government to take immediate action to ensure that all cases are reviewed by a court in accordance with fair procedures, and that detainees' rights are upheld. All Palestinian prisoners should have access to a fair trial, and Israel should ensure that it acts always in accordance with international law. We shall continue to raise our concerns with the Israeli authorities and issue statements when appropriate.

Israel and Palestine

Lord Turnberg: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of recent remarks by Judge Richard Goldstone concerning the findings of his 2009 report to the United Nations about the conflict between Hamas and Israel.

Lord Wallace of Saltaire: The Goldstone report outlines serious allegations of breaches of international humanitarian law during the Gaza conflict. Justice Goldstone acknowledges in his recent comments that some aspects of his report would look differently in light of new evidence correcting the allegation in the report that Israel intentionally targeted civilians.
	Justice Goldstone has made clear that there is no reason to reconsider the various other serious allegations contained in the report at this time.
	This latest insight into the events surrounding the Gaza conflict have come about because of the process that was set in train by his fact-finding mission, and is absolutely consistent with our long-standing policy of calling for full, credible and independent investigations by the parties into any and all allegations of breaches of international humanitarian law (IHL).
	Allegations of breaches of IHL made against all parties to the Gaza conflict are not limited to the Goldstone report and have arisen from various other credible sources. We firmly believe that any and all such allegations must be met with credible and independent investigations by the parties to the conflict.

Israel: Kidnapping

Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the government of Israel about the alleged kidnapping of Derar Abu Sisi in Ukraine.

Lord Wallace of Saltaire: We are concerned by the alleged kidnapping of Derar Abu Sisi. His case is now before the Israeli courts. We continue to press the Government of Israel to ensure due process and the fair treatment of all Palestinian detainees.

Ivory Coast

Lord Myners: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they recognise the ambassador of the Ivory Coast and its embassy in London as representing the legitimate Government of the Ivory Coast.

Lord Wallace of Saltaire: The Government do recognise the current chargé d'affaires of the Ivory Coast and its embassy in London. The current chargé d'affaires was appointed by Alassane Ouattara who is the democratically elected president of the Ivory Coast and who has the legitimacy to appoint a Government as well as ambassadors. In February 2011 President Ouattara appointed Mr Claude Stanislas Bouah-Kamon as the new ambassador to the UK. We await his arrival to take up this post in London.

Justice: Interpreting and Translation Services

Baroness Thomas of Winchester: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the compatibility of the framework agreement for the provision of language services to the justice sector with the European Union Directive on the right for interpreting and translation in criminal proceedings.
	To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that, following the implementation of the framework agreement for the provision of language services to the justice sector, only those on the National Register of Public Service Interpreters will be used in court.

Lord McNally: We are currently seeking the views of interested parties on our proposals. Their views will help inform Ministers' forthcoming decision whether or not to let a framework agreement. We are satisfied that our proposals meet the requirements of the EU directive.
	Maintaining appropriate quality standards is fundamental to our proposals. The proposed requirements for face to face interpretation of foreign languages would include, but would not be limited to, membership of the National Register of Public Service Interpreters.

Kosovo

Baroness Whitaker: To ask Her Majesty's Government what was the United Kingdom contribution to the funds provided by the international community and the European Union to relocate and treat the Roma children with high levels of lead poisoning in lead-contaminated camps in Kosovo; and how the total funding was used.

Lord Wallace of Saltaire: In 2010, the UK funded experts from Aberystwyth University to test for lead contamination of soil, dust particles and water in the Roma Mahalla, and surrounding Fidanishte area, in Kosovo. The project was co-funded with Post Telecommunications Kosovo (PTK), with the UK contributing £10,000. The main objective of the project was to ensure that the Roma Mahalla was safe, or could be made safe, for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Osterode and Cesmin Lug camps to be resettled there. The results of this project confirmed that Roma Mahalla was safe for the IDPs to be relocated there. 99 of 146 displaced families have so far been resettled in the Roma Mahalla and have access to medical treatment, with more due to relocate there shortly.
	The EC Liasion Office (ECLO) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) are providing the funding for the resettlement project itself. The ECLO is running a €5million project to support resettlement of Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian families, with the ultimate aim of closing the lead-contaminated camps in both Cesmin Lug (which was successfully closed in 2010) and Osterode (which is due to close in summer 2011). Approximately 15 per cent of ECLO's overall funding is provided by the UK.
	Separately, in March 2010 the Department for International Development contributed £1.25 million to the Roma Education Fund, a multi-donor fund intended to scale up education intervention for Roma across the Western Balkan region, including in Kosovo.
	The Government continue to follow the situation of displaced Roma children in Kosovo closely.

Least Developed Countries

Lord Chidgey: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to send high-level representation to the forthcoming Least Developed Countries Conference in Istanbul in May.

Lord Wallace of Saltaire: The Fourth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries in Istanbul in May is an important opportunity to remind the world of the commitments made at last September's Millennium Development Goals Summit and to press for there to be clear accountability for these commitments. It is also a global opportunity to talk about an agenda for the future and to agree how to make the most progress possible in reducing poverty in the years remaining to 2015 and beyond. UK representation at the conference has not yet been finalised, but we will be represented at a senior level.

Least Developed Countries

Lord Chidgey: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they have taken to encourage other developed economies to drop barriers to trade with the Least Developed Countries.

Lord Green of Hurstpierpoint: The UK continues to be a lead voice in pressing for other developed countries to remove their trade barriers as part of the Doha round of negotiations. We have also successfully pressed for their removal to be part of the G20 agenda. Ministers take every opportunity to press their counterparts on this issue. No EU countries have tariff barriers to trade with Least Developed Countries (LDCs) since the introduction of the Everything But Arms scheme in February 2001.

Least Developed Countries

Lord Chidgey: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they will take to encourage the World Bank and International Monetary Fund to recognise the needs of the Least Developed Countries.

Lord Wallace of Saltaire: Neither the World Bank nor the International Monetary Fund (IMF) specifically recognises the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) category used by the United Nations. The equivalent World Bank and IMF grouping are low and lower-middle income countries, of which all LDCs fall in one of these groups (except Equatorial Guinea which is classified as high income).
	The UK is one of the highest contributors to International Development Association (IDA)-the part of the World Bank that supports the poorest countries in the world. During the recent IDA 16 negotiations the UK secured a number of concrete actions from the Bank to improve its delivery in the poorest countries, in particular around increasing support to fragile and conflict-affected countries, increasing the say of poor countries in how IDA is managed and an improved results framework.
	The IMF has an important role to play in supporting the world's poorest countries through its policy advice and financial assistance. The last financial year saw major improvements in IMF conditionality and reforms to the facilities for poor countries, which will enable the IMF to better tailor its facilities to meet the diversity among poor countries. Poverty reduction will continue to be a focus of all the IMF's facilities for poor countries. The UK will continue to work with the IMF to ensure it implements these reforms effectively.

Legal Aid

Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many grandparents have used legal aid in guardianship or access cases in the last five years; and, of those, how many were successful in their action.

Lord McNally: The Legal Services Commission (LSC) is responsible for administering the legal aid scheme in England and Wales. The LSC does not separately record the number of grandparents who receive legal aid in guardianship or contact cases. Applications for special guardianship or contact may be made by parents, grandparents or other family members and the LSC does not record the relationship of the individual to the child who is the subject of the proceedings.

Libya

Lord Chidgey: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the extent and impact of the destruction wrought on Libyan towns and cities by President Gaddafi's forces, and of the impact on public services and utilities.

Lord Howell of Guildford: Restrictions on access to conflict zones in Libya mean that it is difficult to make a full assessment of the damage caused by Libyan Government attacks on towns and cities. But it is clear that the effect has been severe, particularly in those towns where the most intense fighting has taken place, such as Zawiya and Misrata. Reports from these towns indicate that the use of heavy weaponry by the Libyan regime forces has caused extensive damage to infrastructure and buildings, including private housing.
	Lack of access by humanitarian agencies makes it difficult to give a comprehensive view of humanitarian needs. In eastern Libya people have access to food, water and electricity, although there remain pockets of specific needs. Disruption to regular supply chains also risks causing shortages of basic items. Medical supplies are reaching eastern Libya and hospitals are functioning but stretched, with some staff shortages due to numbers of foreign nurses leaving the country following the start of the fighting and also non-payment of salaries. The situation in western Libya is less clear as access is even more difficult. In the city of Misrata the situation is dire with the city surrounded by pro-Gaddafi forces. Some assistance is reaching Misrata but unfettered access must be allowed immediately.
	Throughout Libya we have serious concerns for the protection of civilians and call on all parties to the conflict to respect their obligations under international humanitarian law. The Department for International Development has maintained teams of humanitarian specialists on the Libyan/Tunisian and Libyan/Egyptian borders since late February. The UK is providing £2 million to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), enabling it to provide medical teams to treat and provide medical supplies to 3,000 people affected by the ongoing fighting. The ICRC will also provide food and supplies to 100,000 of those most in need.

Libya

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made for the assessment of resettlement needs of all refugees from Libya; what groups will be given priority; and whether they are in close contact with the United Nations High Commissioner of Refugees on those matters.

Baroness Northover: The Department for International Development (DfID) has been in regular contact with the United Nations Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) since the beginning of the Libya crisis. There are now approximately 15,000 people on the Egyptian and Tunisian borders, the majority of whom are sub-Saharan Africans. We expect that most migrants will return home, leaving a limited number that will seek refugee status in Tunisia or Egypt or resettlement in a third country. Resettlement is the responsibility of UNHCR who have their own criteria for prioritising nationalities for resettlement.

Libya

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government , further to the Written Answer by Lord Howell of Guildford on 4 April (WA 333-4), whether they will discuss with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the International Organisation for Migration suitable arrangements for Eritreans, Ethiopians and Somalis who leave Libya but cannot return home because of conditions in their home countries.

Lord Wallace of Saltaire: The agency mandated to protect and support refugees is the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR). We have regular discussions with UNHCR and the International Organisation for Migration, including about persons of concern at the border (such as Eritreans, Ethiopians and Somalis). The Department for International Development has humanitarian advisors at the border camps who are monitoring the situation closely.

Libya

Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the humanitarian situation in Misurata; and what plans they have to provide assistance to the people of the city.

Lord De Mauley: We are in touch with a range of agencies operating in Misurata. They assess the situation to be dire, with thousands of people stranded without proper shelter or sanitation, and in increasing danger. The UK is very concerned about the plight of civilians affected by hostilities, including an estimated 5,000 vulnerable migrant workers stranded at Misurata port and a further 10,000 inside Misurata without access to the port.
	In response, the UK has provided, through UNICEF: medicine for 30,000 people for one month; high energy protein biscuits for 10,000 children and adults; water purification kits for 2,000 families so they have safe water to drink; hygiene kits for 2,000 families to help prevent the spread of germs; obstetric and midwifery kits for 200 births; and books and toys for 3,750 children. Further supplies will be delivered in the coming days. We have also supported other agencies operating in the city that cannot be named to protect the security of their staff.
	On 18 April the UK agreed to fund the International Organisation of Migration to undertake the evacuation of 5,000 people from Misurata port. The UK has also provided support to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), which is providing support for up to 100,000 people for basic necessities, and medical supplies and treatment to 3,000 people affected by the ongoing fighting in Libya including in Misurata, where the ICRC has been active.

Middle East: Democracy

Lord Dykes: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will make representations to the Governments of (a) Syria, and (b) Saudi Arabia, on the merits of democracy.

Lord Howell of Guildford: Events in the region have shown that Governments need to respond to the legitimate aspirations of their peoples with reform, not repression, if they are to enhance their long-term stability and prosperity. There are many ways to meet these aspirations and there is no single formula for success. Reform must be home-grown; it cannot be imposed by outsiders. Leadership must come from within countries.
	Through our Arab Partnership, we are working in partnership with the region and with UK and international partners to support those seeking more free, open and plural societies, including in Syria and Saudi Arabia. What we do in the Middle East is, and should be, no different from what we do elsewhere in the world: encouraging universal values, including the building blocks of democracy, and a stable, open economic environment.

Migrant Workers: Employment

Baroness Cox: To ask Her Majesty's Government what measures have been taken to protect the human rights of migrant domestic workers brought to the United Kingdom by foreign diplomats.

Lord Howell of Guildford: In accordance with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations 1961 (VCDR) foreign diplomats accredited in the UK are entitled to employ domestic workers (foreign or British). Under Article 41(1) of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations it is the duty of all diplomats "to respect the laws and regulations of the receiving state". This applies to the terms and conditions of employment for all domestic staff. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) reminded all foreign missions based in the UK of their obligations in February 2011.
	The police investigate any allegation that the law has been broken by persons entitled to immunity and report the results to the FCO. Given the number of people entitled to immunity in the UK (around 25,000), the number of serious offences allegedly committed by diplomats has remained proportionately low in recent years; just two cases involved a domestic worker in 2010.
	The FCO treats any allegation of mistreatment of domestic workers in diplomatic households very seriously. When an allegation is brought to our attention by the police, we liaise as necessary with the relevant diplomatic mission and the UK Border Agency to work for an appropriate response. If an allegation of mistreatment requires further investigation by the police, the FCO will request from the diplomatic mission concerned, on behalf of the police, a waiver of the diplomat's immunity. Failure to provide a waiver may result in a request to the mission for withdrawal of the diplomat.

National Insurance

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Freud on 29 March (WA 250-51), how many national insurance number registrations to adult overseas nationals entering the United Kingdom from 2002 there have been in total; and how many of those, by each year of registration since 2002 and in total, paid contributions in the last financial year.

Lord Freud: The information requested is in the table. Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has advised that the amount of paid contributions by adult overseas nationals is not available.
	
		
			 NINo Registrations to Adult Overseas Nationals entering the UK (Thousands): 
			 Time Series-2002 to 2010  
			 Calendar year of registration date Total 
			 Total 4,908.48 
			 2002 311.34 
			 2003 362.21 
			 2004 412.78 
			 2005 618.56 
			 2006 633.05 
			 2007 796.88 
			 2008 669.56 
			 2009 613.21 
			 2010 (Not Complete) 490.9 
		
	
	Source: 100 per cent extract from National Insurance Recording and Pay As You Earn System Notes:
	1. Time Series-Calendar Year of Registration Date Years are Calendar based (1 Jan-31 Dec).
	2. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10 and displayed in thousands. Some additional disclosure control has been applied. Total may not sum due to rounding method used. Data are cumulative from 1 January 2002.
	3. Registration date is derived from the date at which a NINo is maintained on the National Insurance Recording and Pay As You Earn System.
	4. This information is available on the Department for Work and Pensions website at: http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/.
	5. A very small proportion on NINo registrations are to overseas nationals registering whilst abroad.

NHS: Competition

Lord Touhig: To ask Her Majesty's Government on what evidence they have based their judgment that increasing competition within the National Health Service will lead to improved outcomes for patients.

Earl Howe: There is wide-ranging evidence from the United Kingdom and abroad that competition delivers better results for service users. Competition stimulates innovation and improvements, as providers drive up quality to ensure that they deliver the services that users want. Where there is choice, patients are exercising this. Over 200,000 patients a year choose independent hospitals for their National Health Service-funded elective care.
	The use of procurement and the role of new entrants in primary care have helped to improve access and increase opening hours for general practitioner practices in the evenings and weekends.
	Research published by both the London School of Economics and Bristol University has found strong evidence that choice and competition in the NHS leads to benefits for patients. The studies found that hospitals in areas where patients have more choice also have lower death rates and shorter lengths of stay than hospitals in less competitive areas.1 Other research from Bristol University has shown that quality is higher in more competitive healthcare markets.2 Critics claim that competition exacerbates inequality in healthcare but research from the University of York has shown this not to be the case.3
	In the United States State of Maryland, competition has led to significant benefits for patients and taxpayers. An economic regulator has been crucial to transforming the state's secondary care sector from one of the most expensive in the US to being among those with the lowest costs.
	This regulatory model has recently been adopted in the Netherlands, as part of wider health reforms aimed at delivering improvements in patient responsiveness and the quality of care.
	In addition to these academic studies there is a growing number of new independent sector providers who are making a real difference to the lives of patients and carers through access to innovative, responsive services. These include:
	Whizz-Kidz-a London-based charity providing customised electronic wheelchairs for children and young people-same day services around half the costs of the NHS;Eastbourne wound-healing centre-long-term wound healing residential centre, which has both high outcomes and cost-effectiveness; andHorder Centre (charity)-providing orthopaedics and muscular-skeletal services, is popular with patients and has good outcomes.
	Notes:
	1. Carol Propper , Martin Gaynor et al (Death by Market Power: Reform, Competition and Patient Outcomes in the National Health Service), July 2010; Zack Cooper et al, (Does Hospital Competition Save Lives? Evidence From The English NHS Patient Choice Reforms), July 2010.
	2. Martin Gaynor (What Do We know About Competition and Quality in Health Care Markets?), 2006.
	3. Richard Cook et al (Competition and Inequality: Evidence from the English National Health Service 1991-2001), 2009.

NHS: Primary Care Trusts

Lord Mawhinney: To ask Her Majesty's Government what was the accumulated debt for each of the last five years for English primary care trusts.

Earl Howe: Primary care trusts have a statutory duty in each financial year to contain revenue expenditure, measured on an accruals basis, within approved revenue resource limits. This annual duty is inconsistent with the concept of accumulated or historic debt.

Northern Ireland: Death of Constable Ronan Kerr

Lord Empey: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, in the light of the murder of Constable Ronan Kerr in Omagh, they will draw up a declaration of intent with the parties in Northern Ireland and the Government of the Republic of Ireland in order to promote reconciliation between all democratic parties and institutions in the British Isles.

Baroness Garden of Frognal: The murder of Constable Ronan Kerr was a despicable attack on a young man serving his community by individuals intent on defying the wishes of the people of Northern Ireland for a peaceful future, free of fear and intimidation. The unified leadership that has been evident in the days following the murder of Constable Kerr at both a political and community level has sent a powerful message to those who would seek to drag Northern Ireland back to violence that they will not succeed. The UK Government will continue to stand firmly together with our partners in the Northern Ireland Executive, the PSNI and the Irish Government in building a peaceful, stable and prosperous Northern Ireland for everyone.

Office for Budget Responsibility

Lord Myners: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the Office for Budget Responsibility was given sufficient time to model and consider the full consequences of the tax and expenditure changes announced in the Budget.

Lord Sassoon: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR). I have asked the OBR to reply.
	Letter from Robert Chote, Chairman, Office for Budget Responsibility, to Lord Myners, dated 30 March 2011.
	As Chair of the Budget Responsibility Committee of the Office for Budget Responsibility I have been asked to reply to your recent question.
	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the Office for Budget Responsibility was given sufficient time to model and consider the full consequences of the tax and expenditure changes announced in the Budget [HL8129]
	Six weeks in advance of the Budget, the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) agreed with HM Treasury a timetable for receiving information on Budget measures. The agreed deadline beyond which the Budget Responsibility Committee (BRC) would not guarantee the inclusion of any indirect effects of the Budget measures on the economy forecast was 9March; and the deadline beyond which the BRC would not guarantee the certification of policy costings was 11 March.
	The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) was given sufficient time to include in our March 2011 economy forecast all but two Budget measures, which were received after the agreed deadline.
	As mentioned in the March 2011 Economic and fiscal outlook, the OBR was notified of the 1p per litre reduction in fuel duty from April 2011 and of the changes in the rate of corporation tax on 16 and 17 March respectively-too late to include any potential second-round effects in the economy forecast.
	Also, the OBR has not certified the costing of increasing the time limit in the short-life assets regime from four to eight years because of insufficient evidence presented, and after the deadline which would have allowed adequate scrutiny. The Budget Responsibility Committee has asked HM Treasury to carry further analysis on the costing of this measure. Once HM Treasury has produced new evidence, the revised costings will be scrutinised by the OBR.
	The costings of the measures mentioned above were included in the OBR March fiscal forecast.

Olympic and Paralympic Games 2012: Olympic Truce

Lord Bates: To ask Her Majesty's Government which countries they are working with as part of the International Inspiration programme for the Olympic Truce London 2012.

Lord Wallace of Saltaire: The objective of the London 2012 International Inspiration programme is to use the power of sport to enrich the lives of 12 million children and young people of all abilities in schools and communities in 20 countries across the world, particularly developing countries, by offering them the opportunity to access and participate in high-quality and inclusive sport, physical education and play.
	The programme, which is not part of the Olympic Truce, has been delivered or is currently being delivered in 16 countries (set out in the attached table). Planning for two new countries, yet to be announced, to join the programme will start later this year.
	
		
			  Country Programme duration 
			 1 Azerbaijan 2007-10 
			 2 Brazil 2007-10 
			 3 India 2007-11 
			 4 Palau 2007-10 
			 5 Zambia 2007-10 
			 6 Bangladesh 2008-11 
			 7 Jordan 2008-11 
			 8 Mozambique 2008-11 
			 9 South Africa 2009-12 
			 10 Trinidad and Tobago 2009-12 
			 11 Nigeria 2009-12 
			 12 Malaysia 2009-12 
			 13 Turkey 2010-13 
			 14 Pakistan 2010-13 
			 15 Indonesia 2010-13 
			 16 Tanzania 2011-14 
		
	
	Delivery of an International Inspiration country programme begins upon the approval of the country plan by the II Foundation, the independent charitable foundation that governs the programme.

Olympic and Paralympic Games 2012: Olympic Truce

Lord Bates: To ask Her Majesty's Government on what date the Olympic Truce will be formally proposed to the General Assembly of the United Nations.

Lord De Mauley: The UK will introduce an Olympic Truce Resolution in the UN General Assembly Session beginning in September 2011. No decision has yet been made about the exact date on which the resolution will be introduced.

Olympic and Paralympic Games 2012: Olympic Truce

Lord Bates: To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions have taken place between the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, and the Northern Ireland Office about initiatives for the London 2012 Olympic Truce.

Lord Wallace of Saltaire: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office have not had any discussions with the Northern Ireland Office on the substance of the Olympic Truce. DCMS has been involved in discussions with the Northern Ireland devolved Administration on specific initiatives that build on the values that underpin the Games, such as Get Set, the London 2012 education programme, and the Inspire Programme, in the period up to and including Games time, through the Nations and Regions Group, run in partnership with LOCOG.

Olympic and Paralympic Games 2012: Olympic Truce

Lord Bates: To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the International Olympic Committee about specific initiatives for the Olympic Truce at the London 2012 Games.

Lord Wallace of Saltaire: Her Majesty's Government have had no discussions with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on the substance of the Olympic Truce. In due course, the text of a draft UN Resolution on the Olympic Truce, which is currently being prepared by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, shall be shared with the IOC by the London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG), who will act as a liaison between the Government and the IOC.

Olympic Games 2012

Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their estimate of the benefit to the United Kingdom economy in 2012 as a direct result of the Olympic Games being held in London.

Baroness Northover: London 2012 has already brought significant new opportunities for UK businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), through businesses winning Games-related work, increased tourism and cultural celebrations.
	The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) is responsible for developing and building the venues and infrastructure for the London 2012 Games. As of March 2011, over 1,493 businesses, including those directly involved in the construction programme, have supplied the ODA from across the UK. Thousands of businesses up and down the UK are working on the Games through supplier contracts worth in excess of £5 billion.
	This figure does not include the value of contracts further down the supply chain, in tiers 2, 3 and so on, which are awarded by the tier 1 contractors and not by the ODA. The ODA estimates that the total value of supply chain contracts to the regions runs into millions of pounds, but these are not public procurements and so the full value of contracts won across the UK is not captured by the figures provided. The ODA estimates that overall up to 50,000 contracts will be generated throughout its supply chains.
	In addition, the London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG) is now ramping up procurement for the £700 million-worth of goods and services it requires to stage the Games.
	A post-Games initial evaluation will be published shortly after the Games, in summer 2013. In order to assess the benefits to the UK, the DCMS has commissioned a meta-evaluation of the impacts and legacy of the London 2012 Games.
	A report by the Work Foundation working with Oxford Economics examined how the London economy can fully exploit the opportunities created by the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The report estimated that around 20,200 additional jobs would be created in London in 2012 as a result of the Olympic and Paralympic Games being held in London. The report also estimated that the Games will create an average of 4,500 extra jobs each year in London over the period 2005 to 2020. Full details of the report can be found at the following link: http://www.culture.gov.uk/images/publications/WF-impact of the Olympics.pdf.

Opiate Poppy Production

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the extent and value of legal poppy production for opiate medicines in the United Kingdom.
	To ask Her Majesty's Government how many licences have been issued in each of the past 10 years for legal opiate poppy production in the United Kingdom and for what acreage.
	To ask Her Majesty's Government how many licences have been refused in each of the past 10 years for legal poppy production for opiate medicine manufacture in the United Kingdom.

Baroness Neville-Jones: The Home Office is aware that the planned acreage under poppy cultivation for the purposes of extracting morphine in 2011 is 2,200 hectares. The monetary value of the poppies grown for medicinal products is a commercial matter between the growers and their customers.
	The cultivation of poppy seed (papaver somiferum) in the United Kingdom is not subject to control under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971; a Home Office licence is not required to cultivate poppies.
	Given that cultivation of the poppy is not an activity that requires a licence, no licences have been issued or refused. However, a refined product of poppy cultivation-concentrate of poppy straw-is a controlled drug and a Home Office licence issued under the 1971 MDA will be required to possess or supply this product.

Pakistan

Lord Stoddart of Swindon: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the £650 million additional aid to Pakistan announced by the Prime Minister will be met from the existing aid budget.

Lord De Mauley: Yes. These funds should get 4 million children into school in Pakistan over the next four years.

Palestine

Lord Dykes: To ask Her Majesty's Government why they did not intervene to prevent civilian casualties in Palestine during Operation Cast Lead in 2009.

Lord Howell of Guildford: We support the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1860 which called for a ceasefire between the parties to the conflict, and continue to call for full, credible and independent investigations into allegations of breaches of international humanitarian law that have arisen.
	My noble friend will be aware that we are unable to comment on a decision made by a previous Government.

Passports

Lord Roberts of Llandudno: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many personal passport application offices closed in 2010-11.
	To ask Her Majesty's Government where the personal passport application offices are located; how many applications were dealt with at each office during 2010; and how many of those were rejected.
	To ask Her Majesty's Government where the remote video-linked personal passport application offices are located.
	To ask Her Majesty's Government how much personal passport application offices cost in 2010.

Lord Wallace of Saltaire: The IFS (Identity and Passport Service) currently operates seven offices where customers can attend to apply for and be provided with a passport. None of these was closed in the financial year 2010-11.
	IPS also provides a number of interview offices for customers who are asked to attend a face to face interview in order to authenticate their identity.
	In the financial year 2010-11 10 interview offices closed.
	They were located in Andover, Berwick on Tweed, Bury St Edmunds, Dover, Dumfries, Oban, Scarborough, Sleaford, South Molton, and Stirling.Due to redeployment of staff ahead of formal closure, four of these offices did not undertake any interviews in 2010-11. (Andover, Dover, Dumfries and Stirling).
	The office in Oban was replaced by a video interview office from September 2010. (Customers attend the local authority office and are interviewed over a video link.)
	Volumes
	In the financial year 2010-11, 473,407 applications for passports were made by personal callers to the seven offices where this facility exists:
	London-204,205 Liverpool-77,967Peterborough-56,340 Newport-43,443 Glasgow-44,139 Belfast-15,057 Durham-32,256
	In the financial year 2010-11, 300,115 authentication interviews where conducted across the network of 56 interview offices and 26 video interview locations.
	Interviews conducted by office
	
		
			 Interviews conducted by office 
			 Aberdeen 1,882 
			 Aberystwyth 568 
			 Andover 0 
			 Armagh 1,026 
			 Belfast 3,731 
			 Berwick on Tweed 2 
			 Birmingham 20,468 
			 Blackburn 6,824 
			 Bournemouth 2,606 
			 Brighton 3,354 
			 Bristol 4,919 
			 Bury St Edmunds 30 
			 Carlisle 1,314 
			 Chelmsford 9,327 
			 Cheltenham 2,557 
			 Coleraine 1,214 
			 Crawley 5,581 
			 Derby 6,831 
			 Dover 0 
			 Dumfries 0 
			 Dundee 2,037 
			 Edinburgh 4,226 
			 Exeter 2,736 
			 Glasgow 9,875 
			 Inverness 837 
			 Ipswich 2,594 
			 Kendal 1,246 
			 Kings Lynn 1,005 
			 Kingston upon Hull 3,107 
			 Leeds 11,078 
			 Leicester 5,752 
			 Lincoln 2,740 
			 Liverpool 9,243 
			 London 59,123 
			 Luton 11,218 
			 Maidstone 7,043 
			 Manchester 14,260 
			 Middlesbrough 3,670 
			 Newcastle 7,008 
			 Newport 5,873 
			 Newport IOW 487 
			 Northampton 3,903 
			 Norwich 2,835 
			 Oban 11 
			 Oxford 3,062 
			 Peterborough 4,105 
			 Plymouth 1,936 
			 Portsmouth 4,723 
			 Reading 11,645 
			 Ripon 563 
			 Scarborough 9 
			 Selkirk 344 
			 Sheffield 7,348 
			 Shrewsbury 1,886 
			 Sleaford 4 
			 South Molton 16 
			 St Austell 1,512 
			 Stirling 0 
			 Stoke on Trent 3,693 
			 Swansea 3,554 
			 Swindon 2,075 
			 Warwick 3,092 
			 Wick 143 
			 Wrexham 2,788 
			 Yeovil 1,648 
			 York 1,828 
		
	
	Of the 300,115 interviews detailed above, 2,563 were conducted via our video interview service from the following locations
	
		
			 Balvanich 35 
			 Bowmore 23 
			 Caernarfon 579 
			 Cambeltown 37 
			 Castlebay 4 
			 Cumnock 135 
			 Dalmellington 83 
			 Dunoon 42 
			 Elgin 273 
			 Fort William 74 
			 Girvan 75 
			 Haverfordwest 493 
			 Kingussie 23 
			 Kirkwall 119 
			 Lamlash 7 
			 Lerwick 101 
			 Locharron 9 
			 Lochgilphead 36 
			 Lochniver 9 
			 Newtown 10 
			 Oban 10 
			 Portree 49 
			 Rothesay 31 
			 St Marys 7 
			 Stornoway 124 
			 Stranraer 140 
			 Tiree 7 
			 Tobermory 10 
			 Ullapool 18 
		
	
	Passport applications rejected
	The total number of refusals following a face to face interview from April 1 2010 to March 31 2011 is six. Additionally, for the same period, 1,601 adults who applied for a UK passport for the first time withdrew prior to their face to face interviews, where otherwise the passport would have been issued.
	IFS does not record refusals specifically by postal application or in person application channel. Therefore we cannot say how many applications were rejected at the public counter. However, the figure for detected fraud for 2010-11 for all passport applications (where no passport was issued) is 7,870.
	Costs
	The cost of running the personal passport application offices in the 2010-11 financial year was £24.223 million
	Application offices £10.799 millionInterview offices £13.424 million
	These figures are subject to audit finalisation. This amount represents the direct costs associated with seeing passport applicants in person at passport application and interview offices. It does not include administrative overheads such as accommodation and depreciation of assets utilised.

Pensions

Lord Stoddart of Swindon: To ask Her Majesty's Government what pensions and other benefits are paid to former United Kingdom European Commissioners; and what proportion is paid by HM Treasury.

Lord Sassoon: Pensions and other EU benefits to former United Kingdom European Commissioners are paid directly from the EU Budget. There is no additional contribution from HM Treasury. Rules on calculating these payments are set out in Regulation 422/67 and the Staff Regulations (Regulation 259/68).
	The Government do not hold information on the exact amounts payable to any individual, but are arguing for greater transparency on all EU spending to help member states press for greater value for money.

Pensions

Lord German: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the effect on pensioner incomes (a) in absolute terms, and (b) as a percentage of earnings, of the second option for pensions reforms set out in the White Paper A state pension for the 21st century for (1) those retiring after the implementation of reforms and before 2020, (2) those retiring in each subsequent decade for which forecasts have been produced, and (3) any other cohort that has been analysed.

Lord Freud: The Government's consultation paper A state pension for the 21st century published on 4 April 2011 set out two high-level options for state pension reform. Following the consultation process the Government will be considering all the responses to our options for delivering a simpler and fairer state pension. As policy development is still under way it is not possible to provide detailed information on impacts at this stage.
	We will provide a full assessment of impacts when the Government publish more detailed proposals for reform.

Police

Lord Touhig: To ask Her Majesty's Government what was the total number of police officers in England in May 2010, and what they expect the total number of police officers in England to be by (a) 2013, and (b) 2015.

Baroness Neville-Jones: The Home Office does not hold data on police officer strength for May 2010. However, the total number of police officers in England on 31 March 2010 was 134,365 (full-time equivalent). This excludes those on career breaks or maternity/paternity leave, officers on central service secondments and those in the British Transport Police.
	The Home Office does not set the number of police officers for future years in England in (a) 2013 and (b) 2015. It is the responsibility of police authorities and chief officers to manage the resources and staff available to them to ensure effective policing for the communities in their area.

Police: Retirement

Lord Touhig: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many police officers with 30 years' experience they expect will be required to retire before May 2015 through the use of regulation A19 of the Police Pensions Regulations.
	To ask Her Majesty's Government how many police officers with 30 years' experience have been required to retire since May 2010 through the use of regulation A19 of the Police Pensions Regulations.
	To ask Her Majesty's Government how many police forces have indicated that they intend to use regulation A19 of the Police Pensions Regulations to require police officers with more than 30 years' service to retire.

Lord De Mauley: It is the responsibility of police authorities and chief officers to manage the resources and staff available to them to ensure effective policing for the communities in their area. They are best placed to consider operational decisions including the impact of using their powers under regulation A19.
	Police authorities are not required to inform the Government that they intend to use regulation A19. Information about the number of officers who have been retired through the use of regulation A19 is not collected centrally.

Prisoners: Children

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the children of prisoners in England will qualify for the new 15 hours per week of free education for disadvantaged two year-olds; and whether prisoners' children of all ages will be a priority for health visitors.

Lord Hill of Oareford: The children of prisoners will qualify for 15 hours a week of free early education for disadvantaged two year-olds providing they meet the eligibility criteria that will be set out in regulations. As the Minister of State for Schools made clear during the Committee stage of the Education Bill on Tuesday 8 March (Official Report, col. 195), our intention is to use an economic indicator, such as eligibility for free school meals. We are committed to consulting fully on these criteria and will do so later this year.
	The new model for the health visiting service will benefit the children of prisoners as this is a universal service for all families. As key contacts in Sure Start children's centres, health visitors are in a pivotal position to support the health and development of all children aged 0-5, in particular the most vulnerable.

Prisons: Riots

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord McNally on 29 March (WA 255), what was the cost impact of the decision at Ford Open prison to intervene nine hours after disturbances commenced; how many prisoners were injured before and after the intervention; and whether they will review the current protocols including the timing of the decision to call for external assistance.

Lord McNally: Decisions to intervene during such an incident are not taken based on cost impact. Intervention took place when those in command of the incident judged it to be appropriate to do so for staff, emergency services and prisoners.
	No prisoners were injured during the disturbance.
	The decision to request external assistance in the management of an incident is taken on a case-by-case basis. The decision is based upon considerations made by both local managers at the scene of the incident and by the headquarters Gold Command structure that supports the resolution of such incidents. There are no definitive thresholds for calling external assistance and it is essential that each incident is managed in accordance to its specific circumstances.
	External assistance is drawn from surrounding prisons. NOMS will undertake a review of protocols to see if out-of-hours response times can be reduced.

Public Sector: Spending Cuts

Lord Dykes: To ask Her Majesty's Government when they will next meet representatives of the Trades Union Congress and leading trade unions to discuss the effects of public sector cuts.

Baroness Northover: Secretaries of State and Ministers from across Her Majesty's Government meet regularly with trade unions on a wide range of policy issues on public service reform.
	The Cabinet Office hosts the Public Services Forum which meets at least four times a year and brings together the TUC, national trade unions and employer groups from the public, private and voluntary sectors to discuss crosscutting issues affecting the workforce. The next PSF meeting is in July 2011.

Questions for Written Answer

Lord Myners: To ask the Leader of the House in what circumstances an answer to a Question for Written Answer is not published in the Official Report.

Lord Strathclyde: Ministers' Answers to Questions for Written Answer are published in the Official Report unless the Answer is very long. The Companion gives the Editor of the Official Report discretion not to print very long answers (paragraph 6.40) which in practice equates to more than four columns of print. Answers of such length may instead be placed in the Library of the House. The Companion also provides (paragraph 6.18) that:
	"Where government functions are delegated to an executive agency, accountability to Parliament remains through ministers. When a minister answers a parliamentary question, orally or in writing, by reference to a letter from the chief executive of an agency, the minister remains accountable for the answer, which attracts parliamentary privilege, and criticism of the answer in the House should be directed at the minister, not the chief executive".

Railways: Crossrail

Lord Berkeley: To ask Her Majesty's Government what are the proposed locations for Crossrail train maintenance and stabling depots.

Lord De Mauley: As proposed, Crossrail services will use a train maintenance depot and stabling at Old Oak Common in west London. There will also be stabling at Ilford, Shenfield, Gidea Park and Maidenhead.

Railways: Resignalling Projects

Lord German: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Attlee on 31 March (WA 305-6), whether (a) the cabling and installations, and (b) the signalling gantries, being put in place on the section of railway line between Newport and the Severn Tunnel will require additional equipment or modification to permit the use of the line by electrified train services.

Lord De Mauley: The signalling cabling and installations currently being installed will require minor modifications to be fully compliant with electrification immunity requirements.

Re-Export Controls Bill

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to the representations made to them by Tony Baldry MP that the Re-Export Controls Bill should be placed before a House of Commons Second Reading Committee.

Baroness Wilcox: In responding to my honourable friend the Member for Banbury, my honourable friend the Minister of State for Business and Enterprise indicated the Government's position on the noble Lord's Private Member's Bill by making reference to the reservations I made about the Bill during its Second Reading in the House of Lords on 3 December. I regret that the Government are unable to support the Bill during its Commons stage or a motion to refer the Bill to a Second Reading Committee.

Republic of Ireland: Celebrations

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government, following the murder of Ronan Kerr, whether they will make representations to the Government of the Republic of Ireland about official celebrations of the murder of Royal Irish Constabulary members.

Baroness Garden of Frognal: The UK Government will continue to stand firmly together with our partners in the Northern Ireland Executive and the Irish Government in building a peaceful, stable and prosperous Northern Ireland for everyone. This includes working together to ensure that issues arising from the complex history of relations between the UK and Republic of Ireland are addressed in an appropriate manner.

Republic of Ireland: Financial Support

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Sassoon on 7 February (WA 35) concerning loans to the Republic of Ireland, what are the "stated macroeconomic goals of the package"; and what is the economic nature of problems the package aims to address.

Lord Sassoon: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) paper on Ireland's request for an extended arrangement states that the "program aims to restore Ireland's banking system to health and put its public finances on a sound footing, thus renewing confidence and a return to strong, sustained growth".
	The full paper is published on the IMF's website, and available at the following link: http://www.imforg/external/pubs/ft/scr/2010/cr10366.pdf.

Republic of Ireland: Financial Support

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government what evidence they have to provide assurance that loans made to the Government of the Republic of Ireland will be repaid.

Lord Sassoon: The Government expect full repayment to be made over the term of the loan.
	Advances under the UK's loan agreement will be conditional on the International Monetary Fund and European Union being satisfied that Ireland is complying with the provisions of the restructuring plan and meeting the targets that it sets out. The loan agreement includes prudent legal protections, aligned with those of other lenders, as would be expected in any sovereign to sovereign loan.

Republic of Ireland: Financial Support

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the size of the loan they have made to the Government of the Republic of Ireland; and what are the terms of this loan.

Lord Sassoon: The terms of the UK bilateral loan to Ireland are set out in the loan agreement that was deposited in the Libraries of both Houses by the Financial Secretary to the Treasury on 10 January 2011.
	The loan agreement is available at: http://www. parliament.uk/deposits/depositedpapers/2011/DEP2011-0015.pdf?bcsi_scan_ F8D0BFE83951C3DA=0&bcsi_ scan_filename=DEP2011-0015.pdf.
	The UK bilateral loan made £3.227 billion available to Ireland.

Roads: Speed Limits

Lord Berkeley: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the cost of policing dual carriageways to achieve at least 95 per cent compliance with a maximum speed limit of (a) 80 miles per hour, and (b) 70 miles per hour.
	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the additional carbon dioxide emissions from cars if the speed limit is raised from 70 to 80 miles per hour.

Lord De Mauley: No estimate has yet been made by the present Administration of the likely costs and impacts of increasing the motorway or other dual carriageway speed limit to 80 mph. No estimate has been made by the present Administration of the likely cost of policing dual carriageways to achieve at least 95 per cent compliance with a maximum speed limit of 80 or 70 miles per hour.

Safeguarding Children

Baroness Benjamin: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will make provision for the training of qualified play therapists to work with "at risk" children and their parents to address the issue of safeguarding in the early years.

Lord Hill of Oareford: Safeguarding children is a key priority for the Government and we recognise the importance of training for all staff working in the early years. The Working Together to Safeguard Children guide to local authorities provides advice on interagency working to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. The guidance suggests training content that should be targeted at those who work predominantly with children, young people and their parents or carers.
	It is for local authorities to decide how they use the newly created Early Intervention Grant funding, which brings together funding for Sure Start, early years, youth and family support. They can also use formula grant to fund action to protect children, in line with local priorities.

Schools: Academies

Lord Willis of Knaresborough: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many private sector schools have become state funded academies; and whether those that have done so are able to retain their admission policies.

Lord Hill of Oareford: Seven independent schools have so far become Academies.
	Maintained schools must comply with the Admissions Code, which applies to Academies and Free Schools by virtue of their funding agreement with the Secretary of State. The Code and related legislation provide a national framework that requires state-funded schools to have admission arrangements that ensure all places are allocated openly and fairly. Independent schools do not have to comply with the Admissions Code, so the school may need to make consequential adjustments to its admission policy on becoming an Academy.

Schools: National Curriculum

Baroness Benjamin: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will include practical parenting in the national curriculum for young people from the age of 13 to enable them to learn the importance of early attachment between babies and parents.

Lord Hill of Oareford: We are currently reviewing the national curriculum with a view to focusing it on the essential body of knowledge which all children need to learn in order to succeed in education and in life, and to give teachers greater freedom beyond that core to design and teach a curriculum that best meets the needs of their pupils.
	Parenting skills are currently covered in the non-statutory personal social health and economic (PSHE) programmes of study. At key stages 3 and 4, young people learn about the roles and responsibilities of parents. We firmly believe that all children and young people should benefit from high-quality PSHE education. We have announced our intention to hold an internal review of PSHE education, which will include parenting skills, to determine how best to support schools to improve the quality of PSHE teaching. Further details will be announced shortly.

Schools: Special Educational Needs

Lord Willis of Knaresborough: To ask Her Majesty's Government what requirements there are for special educational needs co-ordinators in state secondary schools to have a formal qualification or training for assessment or teaching of children with special educational needs.

Lord Hill of Oareford: Regulations came into force on 1 September 2009 requiring school governing bodies to ensure that:
	special educational needs co-ordinators (SENCos) are qualified teachers; and newly appointed SENCos undertake nationally accredited training and gain the national award for SEN co-ordination within three years of their appointment to the post.
	the regulations apply to all SENCos appointed on or after 2 September 2008.

Schools: Teachers

Lord Willis of Knaresborough: To ask Her Majesty's Government what requirements there are for maths, English or science teachers in state secondary schools to have a formal qualification or training for teaching their respective subjects.

Lord Hill of Oareford: Trainees aiming to become teachers in state secondary schools, whether to teach maths, English, science or any other subject, must all have at least a grade C in GCSE English and maths, or have reached the equivalent standard. The purpose of these requirements is to ensure that all entrants have a good standard of competence and knowledge in these subjects, in whichever age phase and subject they are specialising. The initial teacher training (ITT) these trainees receive is designed to enable them to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS) at the end of their training. Although QTS is not a formal qualification, it is a requirement for employment to teach in state secondary schools.
	In addition, teaching is a degree-level profession, so entrants to the profession must have a first degree. While it is desirable that in general a secondary school teacher holds a degree in the subject that he or she is teaching, there is no requirement imposed by the Department for Education for this. Instead it is for the appointing head teacher to decide if a candidate's qualifications and experience match the particular demands of a teaching post.

Schools: Transport

Lord Willis of Knaresborough: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether access to mandatory school or college concessionary transport will be extended to (a) 17 year olds in 2013, and (b) 17 year olds in 2015, when the participation age is raised.

Lord Hill of Oareford: There are no current plans to extend the pre-16 transport duty to cover young people of sixth form age in further education or training when the participation age is raised.

Schools: Transport

Lord Willis of Knaresborough: To ask Her Majesty's Government what research is being carried out to ascertain the cost of transport to colleges and schools for 16-19 year old full-time students.

Lord Hill of Oareford: There is no formal research being carried out at present into the cost of transport to colleges and schools for 16-19 year old full-time students. Discussions held with schools, colleges, representative bodies and with young people in the course of developing proposals for the new 16-19 Bursary Fund have considered the issue of transport costs.
	The 16-19 Bursary Fund will provide schools, colleges and training providers with sufficient resource to support less well off students post-16 to a similar level that they are currently supported before the age of 16, taking into account the significant differences in the courses they take and the institutions they attend. We intend that the fund can be used in ways that best fit the circumstances and needs of students, for example, to provide help with books, meals, transport or other course-related costs.

Scotland: Justice

Lord Boyd of Duncansby: To ask Her Majesty's Government on how many occasions special leave was granted by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council to bring appeals to that body on devolution issues from the High Court of Justiciary in Scotland from 1 June 1999 to 1 October 2009.
	To ask Her Majesty's Government on how many occasions special leave was granted by the Supreme Court to bring appeals to that body on devolution issues from the High Court of Justiciary in Scotland from 1 October 2009 until 28 February 2011.

Lord McNally: Cases from Scotland which have been given leave by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council between 1 June 1999 to 1 October 2009 are as follows:
	1999 - 0
	2000 - 1
	2001 - 2
	2002 - 0
	2003 - 0
	2004 - 2
	2005 - 1
	2006 - 1
	2007 - 0
	2008 - 2
	Jan-Sept 2009 - 4
	Cases from Scotland which have been given leave by the Supreme Court from 1 October 2009 to 28 February 2011 are as follows:
	(1 October to end December 2009) - 1
	2010 - 1
	2011 (to the end of February) - 0.

Social Mobility

Lord Tebbit: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the personal statement by Lord McNally on 6 April, what was the cause of the error which led the statement on social mobility by Lord McNally on 5 April (HL Deb, col. 1622) to be different from the answer given by the Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, on 5 April (Official Report, Commons, col. 895).

Lord McNally: The fault was mine in that I relied on a draft which had been prepared for a written statement. My Written Statement of 6 April 2011 Official Report col. WS149-150 details the Statement that I should have repeated to the House. I regret this error and have apologised to the House.

Sri Lanka: Minefields

Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Verma on 5 April (WA 332-3), what is their estimate of the number of landmines to be cleared in Sri Lanka.

Lord De Mauley: The Department for International Development (DfID) is carrying out a competitive tender for mine action in Sri Lanka. This process will identify the supplier able to deliver the maximum humanitarian and development benefits. Once the competition is completed I will write to the noble Lord to advise him of the specific results that will be delivered by the winning bidder, including the number of landmines that will be cleared.

St Helena: Airport

Lord Ashcroft: To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress is being made on the proposed airport for St Helena.

Baroness Northover: Revised tender documents were issued on 28 January 2011 to the two companies who submitted bids in 2007. Workshops have been held subsequently with both companies to provide clarifications and respond to queries.
	We expect to receive revised tenders by 10 June 2011.

Strategic Defence and Security Review

Lord Touhig: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will reconsider any aspect of the strategic defence and security review as a result of the United Kingdom's involvement in operations in Libya.

Lord Astor of Hever: Recent events in Libya demonstrate that the strategic defence and security review's emphasis on the uncertainty of the world we live in, the importance of the UK adopting an adaptable posture with flexible forces, and the benefit of working more closely with allies and partners were all well judged.

Sudan

The Earl of Sandwich: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the proposal for further examination of the root causes of the conflict in Abyei in Sudan as set out in the Machakos Protocol.

Lord Howell of Guildford: The Government recognise that sustainable peace in Sudan can only be delivered by addressing the root causes of conflict, including in Abyei. Our political engagement and development assistance has focused on implementation of the comprehensive peace agreement (CPA) whose power and wealth-sharing provisions are designed to address these root causes. We will continue to press for full implementation of the CPA ahead of its conclusion in July 2011 and for agreement on wider arrangements between North and South which are equitable and just.

Syria

Lord Touhig: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the Government of Syria in relation to its treatment of pro-democracy protesters.

Lord Wallace of Saltaire: In a statement issued on 8 April 2011 my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs said that he was deeply concerned by the continuing deaths and violence in Syria and condemned the killing of demonstrators by the Syrian security forces. He said that the Syrian Government must uphold their responsibility to protect demonstrators and respect the right of peaceful protest and free speech. The Syrian Government should address the legitimate demands of the Syrian people. Political reforms must be brought forward and implemented without delay.
	We are also working actively with EU partners to underline these points to the Government of Syria. Our ambassador in Damascus joined ambassadors from France, Germany, Italy and Spain in presenting a demarche to the Syrian Government on 14 April 2011. This followed a previous demarche by the EU Head of Delegation and UK, French and German ambassadors to the Syrian Foreign Minister on 27 March 2011.

Syria

Lord Touhig: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have had discussions with other Governments regarding steps which could be taken to prevent the government of Syria killing civilians protesting against that government.

Lord Wallace of Saltaire: We continue to discuss the situation in Syria with our international partners including at the EU Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) on 12 April 2011.
	The FAC Foreign Ministers issued conclusions expressing the council's extreme concern at the situation in Syria, deploring the many deaths resulting from ongoing violence, strongly condemning the use of force by the security forces against peaceful demonstrators and urging the authorities to exercise restraint. The FAC also called for the immediate release of those arrested in connection with the peaceful demonstrations, and for the Syrian authorities to investigate the deaths of protestors and to bring those responsible to account through a fair and transparent process.

Tax and National Insurance

Lord McFall of Alcluith: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their timescale for achieving a merger of tax and national insurance.

Lord Sassoon: The Government believe that integrating the operation of income tax and national insurance contributions can remove distortions, reduce burdens on business, and improve fairness for individuals. However, they recognise that any change will be complex and involve a wide range of policy and implementation issues.
	An initial consultation document will be published later this year to consult on the options, stages and timing of reform. Responses to the consultation will inform future decisions on the timing of any reforms.

Tax and National Insurance

Lord Barnett: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they expect to be able to merge the operation of national insurance and income tax after the conclusion of the consultation on the matter.

Lord Sassoon: The Government recognise the importance of engaging fully with interested parties in the development of tax policy. They do not wish to pre-empt the outcome of the consultation on integrating the operation of income tax and national insurance contributions, which will be guided by the Government's new tax consultation framework, published on 31 March 2011 and available at: http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/tax_updates.htm.

Taxation

Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of alternatives to the 50 pence tax rate.

Lord Sassoon: All taxes are kept under review, with any announcements made by the Chancellor as part of the Budget process.

Taxation

Lord Myners: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether it is their intention to shift the burden of personal taxation from high marginal rates on income to taxation of wealth, including residential property.

Lord Sassoon: The Government set out their tax policy and plans at the Budget.
	In his Budget 2011 Statement, the Chancellor outlined the Government's principles for taxation: that taxes should be efficient and support growth; be certain and predictable; be simple to understand and easy to comply with; be fair, reward work, support aspiration and ask the most from those who can most afford it.
	The Budget confirmed that the Government regard the additional rate of income tax as a temporary measure. This is consistent with the intentions of the previous Government when the 50 per cent rate was introduced. The Chancellor has asked HMRC to assess the revenue raised by the 50 per cent rate using relevant self-assessment data.
	The Budget also announced work to ensure that owners of high value property pay their fair share.
	The Government will set out any future tax changes at the next Budget.

Taxation

Lord Myners: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the proposed review of the taxation of deferred income will include the treatment of carried interest earned by general partners in investment partnerships.

Lord Sassoon: As part of the Government's commitment to tackle tax avoidance, the Finance Bill 2011 includes legislation to target arrangements involving intermediary vehicles put in place by employers to disguise remuneration or to avoid restrictions on pensions tax relief. The Government have consulted widely and have given very careful consideration to ensuring that the legislation does not impact on responsible and sustainable remuneration structures where there is no tax avoidance motive.

Taxation

Viscount Astor: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to alter the tax regime imposed on marginal field developments.
	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the need for special tax arrangements for marginal field developments.

Lord Sassoon: As set out in the 2011 Budget, the Government recognise the importance of continued investment in the North Sea, including in marginal gas fields, and will consider, with the industry, the case for introducing a new category of field that would qualify for field allowance.

Taxation

Lord Myners: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to review the taxation of bank profits to allow a charge against pre-tax profits for the cost of servicing equity above a specific minimum level with a possible increase in the rate of the bank levy applied to non-qualifying domestic wholesale deposits.

Lord Sassoon: The Government keep all taxation policy under review.

Taxation: Corporation Tax

Lord Kilclooney: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the estimated total corporation tax per annum paid by companies in Northern Ireland; how many companies are estimated to pay this corporation tax; and what is the estimated number of company directors of companies in Northern Ireland which pay corporation tax.

Lord Sassoon: Estimates of the amount of corporation tax paid by companies in Northern Ireland can be found at paragraphs 4.34 and 4.35 (page 26) of the consultation document Rebalancing the Northern Ireland Economy published by HM Treasury on 24 March 2011 . No estimates were published, or are readily available, on the number of companies to which the corporation tax relates. It follows that no estimate is readily available of the numbers of directors of such companies.
	A link to the full document is given here: http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/d/rebalancing_the_ northern_ireland_economy_consultation.pdf.

Taxation: Corporation Tax

Lord Empey: To ask Her Majesty's Government what was the annual yield of corporation tax in the last four financial years; and what is their forecast of the corporation tax yield to HM Treasury in 2010-11.

Lord Sassoon: Historical figures for corporation tax receipts, up to and including 2009-10, are regularly updated and published in table 11.1, on the HMRC National Statistics website. The latest update is available here: http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/corporate_tax/tablel1_1.pdf.
	The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) published its forecast of corporation tax receipts for 2010-11 to 2015-16 as part of its Economic and Fiscal Outlook document on 23 March 2011 (table 4.7, page 103). A link to the full document is available here: http://cdn.budgetresponsibility.independent.gov.uk/economic_and_fiscal_outlook_23032011.pdf.

Taxation: Non-domiciled Residents

Lord Myners: To ask Her Majesty's Government what projections they have made of the cost to tax revenue of increasing the taxation of non-domiciled residents and any consequential increase in the number of such people leaving the United Kingdom or choosing not to come here.

Lord Sassoon: The Government estimate that the changes to non-domicile taxation announced at Budget 2011 will increase tax revenue by £110 million in 2013-14, £70 million in 2014-15 and £50 million in 2015-16. These costings take into account the behavioural impact of policy changes.
	Further details of the Exchequer impact of these changes are published in the Budget 2011 policy costings document, available on the HM Treasury website at the following address at http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/d/2011budget_policycostings.pdf.

Taxation: Tax Returns

Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their estimate of the number of individual tax returns still outstanding for the year 2009-10.

Lord Sassoon: About 1.4 million 2009-10 self-assessment tax returns were not filed by 31 January 2011. HM Revenue and Customs pursues outstanding returns using reminders and a penalty regime.

Taxation: VAT

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the target for the length of time taken to issue a VAT number upon application; and what estimate they have of the frequency with which that target will be met.

Lord Sassoon: HM Revenue and Customs' target for 2010-11 was to process 70 per cent of applications within 10 days.
	From April 2010 to February 2011, HM Revenue and Customs processed 66.5 per cent of applications within this time. However, performance from August onwards was ahead of target, with performance in the months of January and February being 79.9 per cent and 81 .9 per cent respectively.
	HMRC aims to issue VAT registration numbers as quickly as possible, while protecting the VAT system from fraudulent applications. It is necessary to balance the speed of registration against the need to assess risk and check applications to safeguard against fraud.

Taxation: VAT

Lord Tebbit: To ask Her Majesty's Government , further to the Budget statement by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 23 March that the creation of a separate VAT rate for petrol "is illegal" (HC Deb, col 964), by which Act of Parliament such a rate is prohibited.

Lord Sassoon: The Value Added Tax Act 1994 provides for value added tax (VAT) at the standard rate to be charged on supplies of goods and services in the United Kingdom. Exceptions to that basic provision are set out in schedules to the Act.
	United Kingdom VAT legislation derives from European Union VAT legislation, which lays down the permitted exceptions to the general rule that supplies of goods or services must attract VAT at the standard rate.
	Petrol is not one of those permitted exceptions and this has been the case since 1 January 1978 when the Sixth VAT Directive (77/388/EC) came into force.

Teachers: Qualifications

Lord Lexden: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many teachers have gained Qualified Teacher Status in each of the past three years.

Lord Hill of Oareford: The available information is given in the table.
	
		
			 Teachers gaining Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)1,2: Qualification by Phase 
			 Academic Years: 2006-07-2008-09 
			 Coverage: England 
			  2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 
			 Primary and secondary 34,090 32,980 33,110 
			 Primary 15,720 15,520 15,770 
			 Secondary 18,380 17,460 17,350 
		
	
	Source: TDA Performance Profiles
	1. Includes universities and other higher education institutions, School Centred Initial Teacher Training (SCITT), Open University and employment-based routes, but excludes cases where OTS was granted on assessment without an ITT course.
	2. Includes the OTS outcome of those trained through the fast-track programme (which started in 2001-02).
	Numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10 and totals may not equal the sum of component parts.

Terrorism Act 2000

Lord Ahmed: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to destroy the DNA and fingerprint information of innocent people currently retained under the provisions of Schedule 7 to the Terrorism Act 2000 in the light of the proposals in the Protection of Freedoms Bill.

Baroness Neville-Jones: The powers under Schedule 7 to the Terrorism Act 2000 allow officers to take biometric samples in order to identify if someone has been involved in the commission, preparation or instigation of an act of terrorism.
	The provisions contained in the Protection of Freedoms Bill will require the Secretary of State to make an order providing for transitional arrangements for the destruction of material taken before the commencement of the new regime. Any material that has already been held for a longer period, except where there are grounds on which to make a national security determination extending retention, will fall to be deleted as soon as possible after the relevant provisions of the Bill come into force.

Terrorism Act 2000

Lord Ahmed: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of whether it is necessary to continue to retain the DNA and fingerprint data of people examined or detained under Schedule 7 to the Terrorism Act 2000 when they are no longer suspected of engaging in acts of terrorism and no further action has been taken against them.

Baroness Neville-Jones: Schedule7 to the Terrorism Act 2000 is a national security border power which enables the police and the UK Border Agency to combat the threat to the UK and its interests by examining individuals travelling through the country's ports and borders to determine if they are involved in the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.
	The provisions contained in the Protection of Freedoms Bill will amend the current law, which permits the indefinite retention of biometric material, and replace it with a more proportionate regime. In respect of material taken under Schedule 7 to the Terrorism Act 2000, they will require that a chief officer of police must decide within six months whether it is necessary to extend retention on the grounds of national security. Where there are no grounds on which to make such a determination the material must be destroyed.

Thames Barrier

Lord Mawhinney: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many times the Thames Barrier has been raised each year since 2000.

Lord Henley: The Thames Barrier has been raised for flood defence purposes 80 times since 1 January 2000. An annual breakdown can be found in the table below:
	
		
			 Calendar Year Number of Times Raised 
			 2000 10 
			 2001 15 
			 2002 4 
			 2003 19 
			 2004 2 
			 2005 5 
			 2006 1 
			 2007 11 
			 2008 3 
			 2009 5 
			 2010 5 
			 TOTAL 80 
		
	
	As well as for flood defence purposes, we have also raised the Barrier for routine monthly tests. This is done at low tide and is used to train staff, test equipment and to trial different procedures. Since 1 January 2000 there have been 123 of these tests.

Tobacco

Lord Stoddart of Swindon: To ask Her Majesty's Government , further to the Written Answer by Earl Howe on 21 March (WA 124) concerning the display of tobacco products, why they have carried out no consultation with representatives of tobacco retailers or manufacturers; and whether they plan to do so.

Earl Howe: The Government are well aware of the views of retailers and the tobacco manufacturers about the legislation ending tobacco displays. These views have been made known in a variety of ways including through the two public consultations, meetings, correspondence, press articles and extensive lobbying.
	The Government Code of Practice on Consultation says that the burden of consultation should be kept to a minimum where the relevant information is already available.
	Tobacco retailers will be engaged in developing guidance for retailers about the implementation of the legislation ending tobacco displays.

Travel: e-Borders Scheme

Lord Dear: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the e-Borders target of tracking 60 per cent of all passenger and crew journeys into and out of the United Kingdom by the end of 2009 has been met; and, if so, when.
	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the e-Borders target of tracking 95 per cent of all passenger and crew journeys into and out of the United Kingdom by December 2010 has been met.

Baroness Northover: e-Borders is currently tracking around 55 per cent of inbound and 60 per cent of outbound passenger movements to and from the UK. This equates to approximately 126 million passengers a year on over 2,800 routes, and includes over 90 per cent of non-EU aviation passengers.
	We are currently considering revised targets but these are dependent on reaching agreement with new suppliers to deliver additional e-Borders capability and final resolution of EU free movement issues.
	The Government are totally committed to rolling out the e-Borders programme across all routes into and out of the UK. We are currently checking more than 90 per cent of flights from outside Europe. Collecting passenger data and checking it against our databases are vital for law enforcement, national security and our immigration system. By tracking those coming to the UK, our enforcement agencies can undermine terrorism, fight smuggling and continue to protect our border.

Tristan da Cunha

Lord Jones of Cheltenham: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assistance they are providing to Tristan da Cunha to deal with the damage to wildlife, including sea birds, and the island fisheries industry, caused by the oil slick on Nightingale Island and the World Heritage site of Inaccessible Island following the running aground of MS Oliva.

Lord Howell of Guildford: The responsibility to clean up the damage caused to the environment of the Tristan da Cunha islands, and to compensate the Tristan community for any losses lies with the ship's owners and insurers. We are ensuring that they continue to meet this responsibility in full. We have also been in close touch with the Tristan da Cunha authorities throughout and are ensuring that they have all the advice and support they need from across government and elsewhere.
	The Tristan authorities and community are working hard to help the wildlife affected by the oil, and to clean up the pollution from the wreck. Equipment and expert help has been supplied by the wrecked vessel's insurers and more is on its way. The fisheries at Nightingale and Inaccessible Islands will remain closed until testing has been completed. But the full impacts on the wildlife and fisheries will take time to assess.

Turkey

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will make contact with the leaders of the non-violent sit-in protest taking place in Diyarbakir, Turkey.

Lord Wallace of Saltaire: The Government, through our Embassy in Ankara, has regular contact with the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP), who are leading the protests. Our Embassy will continue to maintain contact with BDP leaders, particularly in the run-up to the elections in June. We have no plans, however, to make contact with the individuals leading the protests in Diyarbakir and other towns in Turkey where protests are taking place.

Uganda

Lord Ashcroft: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Verma on 21 March (WA 126-7), what assessment they have made of the allocation of the budget support for Uganda from the United Kingdom, in particular in relation to the increase in spending by the Government of Uganda prior to the last general election in that country.

Baroness Northover: The UK Government have not taken a final decision on budget support for Uganda for financial year 2011-12. We are forecasting a phased reduction in the level of general budget support over the next four years.

Universities: Admissions

Lord Lucas: To ask Her Majesty's Government what provisions there are, statutory, regulatory or otherwise, (a) preventing, and (b) disadvantaging, a United Kingdom university taking, in addition to quota, fee-paying students who are domiciled in the United Kingdom.

Lord Henley: I will write to my noble friend and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Uzbekistan

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they are making to the Government of Uzbekistan about the alleged use of torture and inhumane treatment, the alleged state control of lawyers and the expulsion of human rights organisations.

Lord Wallace of Saltaire: We remain concerned about the overall level of respect for human rights in Uzbekistan, including relating to continued allegations of torture, the independence of the judicial system and the ability of human rights organisations to operate freely. We are particularly concerned by recent reports suggesting that legal proceedings have been initiated against the Human Rights Watch office in Tashkent.
	We regularly raise our concerns on these and other issues with the Uzbek authorities, both bilaterally and through international fora such as the EU, the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and the UN. The Minister for Europe, my right honourable friend the Member for Aylesbury (Mr Lidington), raised human rights with then Uzbek Foreign Minister Norov when they met at the OSCE summit in Astana in December, including with respect to Human Rights Watch. The UK and EU stand ready to assist Uzbekistan in making progress on these and other reform issues.

Uzbekistan

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will ask the United Nations Human Rights Commission to visit Uzbekistan and to examine its record in ratifying international human rights conventions.

Lord Wallace of Saltaire: Uzbekistan has ratified several important international human rights conventions, but serious gaps remain between the corresponding domestic legislation and its implementation. We regularly raise our concerns about this with the Uzbek authorities. We fully support the work undertaken by organisations such as the EU, the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe and the UN, to promote increased respect for human rights in Uzbekistan, and continue to support calls to allow visits from relevant UN bodies and special rapporteurs.

Visas

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Neville-Jones on 21 March (WA 128-31), why 1,100 actors, entertainers, dancers, choreographers and musicians from Colombia, Cuba, Jamaica and Venezuela, in standard occupational classification categories 3413-5, were assigned certificates of sponsorship in 2010; and what are the skill shortages in the United Kingdom in those occupations allowing this.

Baroness Northover: Certificates of Sponsorship (CoSs) are allocated to licensed sponsors by the UK Border Agency Sponsor Licensing Unit. This allocation is based on a justifiable figure provided by the sponsor as part of their licensing application. The CoSs must be assigned in accordance with published policy, the codes of practice and, where applicable, the Shortage Occupation List.
	The Shortage Occupation List is produced by the Migration Advisory Committee. a non-departmental public body sponsored by the UK Border Agency. The list is produced following a review of the labour market, analysis of available data on migration trends and consultation exercises with businesses in specific sectors and other government departments.
	Information on the types of occupation in standard occupational classification categories 3413, 3414 and 3415 which are included in the Skills Shortage List is included in the following table:
	
		
			 SOC Code and Employment Type Occupations included in Shortage Occupation List 
			 Musicians (3413) None 
			 Dancers and Choreographers (3414) Skilled classical ballet dancers who meet the standard required by internationally recognised UK ballet companies [...] 
			  Skilled contemporary dancers who meet the standard required by internationally recognised UK contemporary dance companies [...] 
			 Musicians (3415) Skilled orchestral musicians who meet the standard required by internationally recognised companies [...] 
		
	
	Companies and individuals wishing to bring professional entertainers from outside the European Economic Area to the UK for performances must seek CoSs for the participating professionals. The CoSs are issued to cover only the period the professionals need to remain in the UK for the performances.

Visas

Lord Rosser: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Neville-Jones on 29 March (WA 260), to which public funds a fit single adult, who is not a tier 2 immigrant, living outside London and earning (a) £19,500 per annum, or (b) £18,500 per annum, has access.

Lord Freud: It is not possible to answer the question without knowing the person's individual circumstances. As a very rough guideline, a fit single adult without children who is not a tier 2 immigrant, living outside London, is unlikely to get working tax credit if their income is £11,500 or more a year. Whether they would be entitled to help with their housing costs would depend on a number of factors such as their age, their income/capital, and the type of accommodation.

Visas

Lord Rosser: To ask Her Majesty's Government, in the light of the statement by Earl Attlee on 10 March (Official Report, col. 1853) that it is not clear how someone earning less than £20,000 per annum supports themselves, what support and benefits they intend to extend to working adults in that category.

Lord Freud: From 2013 we will be introducing the universal credit which is designed to ensure that work always pays and to encourage more people to see work as the best route out of poverty. It will introduce a system of tailored disregards and a single taper rate for claimants in work. This will allow people to keep more of their earnings, thus improving work incentives.
	Full details are set out in the White Paper Universal Credit: Welfare That Works, a copy of which can be found on the department's website: http://www.dwp. gov.uk/docs/universal-credit-full-document.pdf.

Water Supply: Pipe Leakage

Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Henley on 4 April (WA 341-2), what was the date of the last meeting with the water companies at which the Minister for Natural Environment and Fisheries discussed progress on leakage rates.

Lord De Mauley: Both the Secretary of State and the Minister for Natural Environment and Fisheries met the water companies and Water UK, which represents the industry, in September 2010 to discuss a variety of issues. Progress on leakage rates was not discussed at that meeting.
	The Minister for Natural Environment and Fisheries meets individual water companies from time to time to discuss matters of common interest, including leakage rates. The last of these meetings was on 3 March.

West Bank: Labelling

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government how they enforce the obligation to label goods produced in Israeli settlements on the West Bank as such; whether there have been prosecutions for deception or false labelling; and which of the following companies, Tesco, Waitrose, Asda, Marks & Spencer, Sainsbury, B&Q, Debenhams, Costco, Focus, Homebase, Makro, Toys-R-Us and Taylormade Beauty, have been identified as selling products of Israeli settlements without correct labelling.

Baroness Wilcox: I will write to the noble Lord and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Western Sahara

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of developments in the status of the Western Sahara; and whether the forthcoming Security Council meeting will discuss the matter.

Lord Wallace of Saltaire: I am concerned about the unresolved status of Western Sahara and the lack of progress in negotiations between Morocco and the Polisario Front. The UK fully supports the efforts led by the United Nations, towards a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution, which provides for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara.
	The Security Council will discuss Western Sahara in April at the annual mandate renewal for the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara, (MINURSO, the UN Peacekeeping Mission in Western Sahara).

Western Sahara

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: To ask Her Majesty's Government with which European Union member states and with which countries in North Africa they have held discussions in the last three months about the status of the Western Sahara.

Lord Wallace of Saltaire: The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, my honourable friend the Member for North-East Bedfordshire (Alistair Burt) discussed the Western Sahara conflict during his visits to Morocco and Algeria from 3-5 April 2011.
	Western Sahara was also discussed by senior officials at the EU "Quint" Meeting in Paris on 7 April. The EU countries represented were UK, France, Italy, Spain and Germany.
	Officials regularly discuss the situation in Western Sahara with Morocco, Algeria, Spain, France and the United States.

Winter Fuel Payments

Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty's Government how much money they will save in 2011-12 by ending the winter fuel top-up payments of £50 and £100 for those over 60 and over 80.

Lord Freud: Winter fuel payments for winter 2011-12 will be £200 for households with someone who has reached women's state pension age and is under 80 and £300 for households with someone aged 80 or over, exactly as budgeted for by the previous Government.
	An additional amount of winter fuel payment was paid for the past three winters, taking the rates to £250 for households with someone who had reached women's state pension age and was under 80 and £400 for households with someone aged 80 or over.
	It is estimated that making winter fuel payments in 2011-12 as planned would cost around £590 million less than if the additional amounts were to continue.

Winter Fuel Payments

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Freud on 28 February (WA 284), what changes they propose to the categories of people able to claim winter fuel payments.

Lord Freud: We have no plans to change the categories of people able to claim winter fuel payments.
	As explained in my previous replies (28 February WA 284 and 2 February WA 280) we are committed to abide by European Union law with regard to winter fuel payments.

Winter Fuel Payments

Lord Willis of Knaresborough: To ask Her Majesty's Government what would be the estimated savings if winter fuel payments were limited to households where the gross income was below (a) £50,000, (b) £40,000, (c) £30,000, and (d) £20,000.

Lord Freud: Winter fuel payment eligibility covers those who have reached women's state pension age (including men who have yet to reach the male state pension age of 65) and are ordinarily resident in the UK.
	Information on winter fuel payment eligibility and household incomes is available from data collected in the Family Resources Survey.
	In 2011-12, winter fuel payment expenditure is forecast to be £2.124 billion. The table below shows the estimated savings that would be made if eligibility for winter fuel payments were restricted to households with annual gross income equal to or below the given limits:
	
		
			 Annual gross income limit Amount of saving in 2011-12 (£ million) Saving as a percentage of total forecast Winter Fuel Payment expenditure 2011-12 
			 (a) £50,000 210 10 
			 (b) £40,000 330 15 
			 (c) £30,000 540 25 
			 (d) £20,000 970 45 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Information on household income and eligibility for winter fuel payments is available from the Family Resources Survey, for which 2008-09 is the latest year available.
	2. Estimates are based on survey data and are therefore subject to uncertainty. For this reason savings are rounded to the nearest £10 million. Percentages are rounded to the nearest whole percentage point.
	3. As requested, gross household incomes have been used. This means that no taxes have been deducted and the income includes earnings from employment and self-employment, state support, income from occupational and private pensions, investment income and other sources. In practice, the level of savings may vary due to how this would be implemented. The costings assume those who would be eligible for winter fuel payments under the current system in a household with gross annual income above the given limits in 2011-12 no longer receive winter fuel payments. It assumes that all other households are unaffected.
	4. Savings to winter fuel payment expenditure use the 2011-12 expenditure forecasts that are consistent with the Budget 2011 forecasts and are therefore based on a £200 payment to households containing someone aged over female state pension age, with an additional £100 payment to households containing someone aged 80 or over. There are additional rules determining how much households containing more than one eligible individual and individuals in receipt of certain benefits receive. These additional rules are also included in the calculations. Family Resources Survey data have been used to calculate the proportion of expenditure which goes to households above the income limits as specified.